Papal Madness Day 4: The Ecclesiastical Eight

Visit our Facebook page right now and scroll down to vote on who will be in the Final Four of Papal Madness…

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pollStephen Colbert absolutely obliterated MSNBC’s Chris Matthews during yesterday’s “Spiritual Sixteen,” with Matthews only getting 4.3% of the total vote — the biggest deficit Papal Madness has seen to date. Upsets of the day included actor Jim Caviezel prevailing over director Martin Scorsese, and the surprising win of Mark Wahlberg over Bruce Springsteen. (How did that happen?!!!) Jesuit fans out there will be sad to say goodbye to Fr. Jim Martin, SJ, who lost to none other than His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan.

If you haven’t already, head over to our Facebook page to vote on the “Ecclesiastical Eight.”

Today’s matchups leave nothing to be desired: Two of the most Catholic actors in Hollywood face-off when No. 1 seed Martin Sheen takes on No. 6 Jim Caviezel. In the Media/Politics region, No. 1 Stephen Colbert goes head-to-head with fellow comedian Conan O’Brien, and No. 2 seed in the Music region, Sir Paul McCartney, confronts surprising 3rd rounder, No. 4 Mark Wahlberg. Meanwhile in the Friends of Busted Halo® region, things may turn anything but friendly as Busted Halo’s® own Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP, meets up with the man who could (actually) be pope, Cardinal Dolan.

And we begin Day 4. These are some great matchups and they will be going on all weekend. So go get your friends, family members, and anyone else who is interested in the fake chance to elect the pope, and have them visit our Facebook page to vote on who to send to the Final Four of Papal Madness. If you don’t see the voting polls right away on Facebook, simply scroll down the page until you come to today’s match-ups.

Today’s competitors:
The Ecclesiastical Eight

01-colbertStephen Colbert: Not only the top seed of the Media/Politics Region, but of the entire Papal Madness tournament, Colbert enjoys the spotlight nearly as much as discussing his devout Catholic faith. He’s never been afraid to go head-to-head against fellow Papal Madness competitors Cardinal Dolan and Fr. Jim Martin, and there have already been several arguments made that he indeed should be made the next pope.

03-conanConan O’Brien: O’Brien identifies as Catholic and he’s even named after a saint. He’s stated that his religion always had a special place in his family while growing up and that he’s still guided by it.

02-mccartneyPaul McCartney: Being knighted by the Queen may not be as exclusive as being selected by the College of Cardinals, but Sir Paul McCartney, who was baptized Catholic and says he has “a kind of personal faith in something good,” might be the perfect next choice for Supreme Pontiff since he was once part of something “more popular than Jesus.” Get ready for Pope-mania!

04-wahlbergMark Wahlberg: It may surprise you that former rapper turned actor, Wahlberg, is a devout Catholic who claims his faith is the most important aspect of his life. Pope Marky Mark I, anyone?

01-sheenMartin Sheen: The No. 1 Papal Madness seed for the Hollywood Region, Sheen is quite well known for being Catholic, even taking his stage name from Bishop Fulton Sheen. Aside from being a strong proponent of social justice, Sheen has played a number of Catholic roles, including President Jed Bartlet and a grieving father walking The Camino in The Way.

06-caviezelJim Caviezel: Not only has he taken on the role of Jesus, Caviezel is also a devout Roman Catholic, always ready to speak about his spirituality and defend his faith.

01-dwyerFr. Dave Dwyer, CSP: The No. 1 seed hailing from the Friends of Busted Halo® region, Fr. Dave has been evangelizing over satellite radio airwaves for the past six years answering people’s questions of faith on The Busted Halo Show, and via the Internet as the Director of Busted Halo®.

03-dolanHis Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan: In addition to appearing on the weekly Sirius XM program, Conversation with Cardinal Dolan alongside fellow Papal Madness competitor Fr. Dave Dwyer, Cardinal Dolan, one of the approximate 120 cardinals under the age of 80, is the only participant of Papal Madness who actually stands a chance of being elected pope when the papal conclave convenes following Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation on February 28.