Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Cardinal Consultors at work

At the end of this morning, the Director of the Vatican Press Centre, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ held a briefing on the IX meeting of the nine Cardinal Consultors with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, which concluded this afternoon and had been in progress since Monday morning of this week at the Casa Santa Marta.

The Council of Cardinals dedicated the majority of their attentive work to the reform of the Curia in two particular aspects: reflections on the methodology to be followed for their work in 2015 and in 2016 in order to move forward effectively with the task of preparing the new Constitution; a re-reading of the interventions by the Cardinals dedicated to the reform of the Curia as was mentioned during the most recent Consistory (more than 60 interventions on this theme contained useful tips and hints for both the preamble and for specific aspects of the reform).

An orientation toward the establishment of two Dicasteries: the first responsible for charity, justice and peace; and the other for the laity, families and life appear to be confirmed.

Another point on which the Council focused concerned the re-organization of the Vatican Media, concerning which the special Commission presided over by Lord Chris Patten has now presented its final report.

It is expected that the Pope will create a Commission which will be concerned with thinking concretely about how to put into practice the indications outlined in the special Commission's report.  This new Commission will also include members of the Patten Commission who will continue to work with it.

Finally, Cardinal O'Malley, President of the new Commission for the Protection of Minors, following the wishes of that Commission, proposed to the Pope and to the Council that they address the theme of Accountability, Responsibility especially regarding the protection of minors, in order to provide appropriate procedures and arrangements to evaluate and judge cases of abuses of office in this field, especially on the part of persons with responsibility within the Church.

The next meetings of the Council are planned for June 8-10, September 14-16 and December 10-12, 2015.

No comments: