Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Council of Cardinals, Day 2

At the completion of the morning session of the meeting of the Council of Cardinals, Father Frederico Lombardi, SJ held a Press Conference to inform journalists of the most recent developments.


Once again this morning, the Cardinals concelebrated Mass with the Holy Father at the Casa Santa Marta.  The first meeting of the day began at 9:30am today, and both the Holy Father and the Secretary of State were in attendance.

This morning's meeting was dedicated to receiving reports from the Pontifical Commission responsible for reviewing the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR).  The presentations were made by the President of the IOR, Cardinal Raffaele Farina; Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, a member of the Commission; His Excellency, Juan Ignacio Arrieta, Coordinator of the Commission; and Monsignor Peter B. Wells, Secretary of the Commission.  Professor Mary Ann Glendon was the only member of the Commission unable to attend this morning's meeting.  Also present at today's meeting (as he was at yesterday's meeting) was Monsignor Alfred Xuereb, who is serving as a delegate of His Holiness to the Commission which met with the Council yesterday, and the Commission reviewing the IOR.

The Commission made a very in-depth presentation concerning the very broad and diverse reality of the Institute, it's historic challenges and an outline of the causes of these challenges.  They also discussed the current situation and suggested some possible orientations for the future.  Of prime importance is the profound understanding of the mission of the Institute in the perspective of the religious and pastoral service provided by the Church.

The Cardinals appreciated the presentation made by the Commission and posed some probing questions which will be followed up by the Commission.  No decisions were made concerning the Commission at today's meeting.

Ongoing detailed work will continue at this afternoon's gathering, including the possible recalling of the representatives of the two Commissions which made presentations yesterday and today.  The Cardinals did recall the representatives from yesterday morning's meeting, asking for further clarifications, and may do likewise with either of the Commissions if needed for this afternoon's discussions.

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