The call goes out

This morning, the Vatican Press Office issued the offical call for all those (other than the Cardinal electors) who will be involved in the Conclave to assemble for the taking of the solemn oath.

Mandated by the College of Cardinals, the note, which is signed by Monsignor Guido Marini, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies, explains that In conformity with the prescripts of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, all those who will play a role in the upcoming Conclave, whether clergy or laity, having received the approbation of the Cardinal Camerlengo and of the three Assistant Cardinals, should assemble in the Pauline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 5:00pm (local time in Rome).

The persons who have been invited to take the oath include:

• the Secretary of the College of Cardinals;
• the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies, Monsignor Guido Marini;
• Assistants to the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremoniaries;
• the Ecclesiastic chosen by the Cardinal presiding over the Conclave, to assist him in the exercise of his Office;
• Religious priests and nuns who will be working in the sacristy;
• Religious priests who will be available for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in various languages;
• Doctors and nurses who will be available in case of emergencies;
• Operators to operate the elevators leading to the Apostolic Palace;
• Persons responsible for arranging furniture, housekeeping staff and persons responsible for preparing and serving meals;
• Technical service staff;
• Workers who will be responsible for transporting the Cardinal electors from the Domus Sanctae Martae to the Apostolic Palace and vice versa;
• the Colonel and a Major from the Corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guard who will act as security guards outside the Sistine Chapel when the Conclave is in session; and
• the Director of Security Services and Civil Defence, along with some of his colleagues.

His Eminence, Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church will first instruct these persons in the meaning of the Oath which they will take, then each of them will speak the words of the oath and sign the formula provided in presence of His Eminence, the Cardinal Camerlengo.  Also in attendance, to witness these proceedings, there will be two Apostolic Protonotaries.

According to the prescriptions of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, any and all these above-mentioned persons who in any way or at any time should come to learn anything from any source, directly or indirectly, regarding the election process, and in particular regarding the voting which took place in the election itself, are obliged to maintain strict secrecy with all persons extraneous to the College of Cardinal electors (UDG, 47)

The words of the Oath which they will pronounce on Monday evening are also outlined in the Apostolic Constitution: 

I, N.N., promise and swear that, unless I should receive a special faculty given expressly by the newly- elected Pontiff or by his successors, I will observe absolute and perpetual secrecy with all who are not part of the College of Cardinal electors concerning all matters directly or indirectly related to the ballots cast and their scrutiny for the election of the Supreme Pontiff.

I likewise promise and swear to refrain from using any audio or video equipment capable of recording anything which takes place during the period of the election within Vatican City, and in particular anything which in any way, directly or indirectly, is related to the process of the election itself. I declare that I take this oath fully aware that an infraction thereof will make me subject to the spiritual and canonical penalties which the future Supreme Pontiff will see fit to adopt, in accordance with Canon 1399 of the Code of Canon Law.

So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand. (UDG, 48)