This morning, the Director of the Vatican's Press Office, Father Frederico Lombardi, SJ presented a briefing on the subject of the on-going meetings of the Council of Cardinals.
The Council of Cardinals, instituted by His Holiness, Pope Francis in order to assist him with the governance of the universal Church and to study a possible revision of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus concerning the Roman Curia (cf Chirograph dated 28 September 2013, published on 30 September of this year), began its second round of meetings this morning. These meetings will continue until December 5. You may remember that the first round of meetings was held from October 1 to 3 of this year.
The members of the Council, eight Cardinals and the Secretary, His Excellency, Marcello Semeraro are residing at the Casa Santa Marta along with the Holy Father, and will celebrate Mass there with him each morning during their visit. The meetings will be held each day at the Casa Santa Marta, from 9:00am until 12:30pm and from 4:00pm until 7:00pm.
The Cardinals have also been at work during the time that has elapsed during the two face-to-face meetings, focusing their efforts on documents which were sent to them in anticipation of these encounters and gathering other contributions and observations, particularly while they have met with the members of their respective Conferences and at other episcopal gatherings on the various continents on which they live. The Cardinals in question come from Asia, Europe and Latin America.
The meeting began this morning, continuing the study of the Roman Curia in view of its possible reform, as was requested by the Cardinals when they gathered for the Congregations which preceded the Conclave. It is good to remember that the focus of this work - as was explained in October of this year - is not about suggesting simple adjustments or marginal modifications to Pastor Bonus, but to work toward the preparation of a Constitution containing consistent novelty, effectively, a new Constitution.
As is to be expected in the work of the Council, there is a distribution of tasks based on its various themes, according to the competence and experience of the various members of the Council. However, they all participate fully in the consultations with equal responsibility.
The methodology of the work begun this morning also involves an overview of the various dicasteries (departments) of the Curia. This morning, there will be time dedicated to the study of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
It is expected that during this meeting of the Council of Cardinals, there will also be some time set aside for a meeting with the new Secretary of State, in order that the Cardinals might have an opportunity to greet him, to wish him well in his work and to make an initial contact with him.
It is not expected during this meeting of the Council that an invitation will be issued for a meeting with the Commissions responsible for the financial or economic matters of the Vatican. This will most probably take place during the next meeting of the Council, already planned to take place in February (17th and 18th) just prior to the Consistory for the naming of Cardinals.
Briefing provided by Father Frederico Lombardi, SJ
regarding the ongoing work of the Council of Cardinals
The Council of Cardinals, instituted by His Holiness, Pope Francis in order to assist him with the governance of the universal Church and to study a possible revision of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus concerning the Roman Curia (cf Chirograph dated 28 September 2013, published on 30 September of this year), began its second round of meetings this morning. These meetings will continue until December 5. You may remember that the first round of meetings was held from October 1 to 3 of this year.
The members of the Council, eight Cardinals and the Secretary, His Excellency, Marcello Semeraro are residing at the Casa Santa Marta along with the Holy Father, and will celebrate Mass there with him each morning during their visit. The meetings will be held each day at the Casa Santa Marta, from 9:00am until 12:30pm and from 4:00pm until 7:00pm.
The Cardinals have also been at work during the time that has elapsed during the two face-to-face meetings, focusing their efforts on documents which were sent to them in anticipation of these encounters and gathering other contributions and observations, particularly while they have met with the members of their respective Conferences and at other episcopal gatherings on the various continents on which they live. The Cardinals in question come from Asia, Europe and Latin America.
The meeting began this morning, continuing the study of the Roman Curia in view of its possible reform, as was requested by the Cardinals when they gathered for the Congregations which preceded the Conclave. It is good to remember that the focus of this work - as was explained in October of this year - is not about suggesting simple adjustments or marginal modifications to Pastor Bonus, but to work toward the preparation of a Constitution containing consistent novelty, effectively, a new Constitution.
As is to be expected in the work of the Council, there is a distribution of tasks based on its various themes, according to the competence and experience of the various members of the Council. However, they all participate fully in the consultations with equal responsibility.
The methodology of the work begun this morning also involves an overview of the various dicasteries (departments) of the Curia. This morning, there will be time dedicated to the study of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
It is expected that during this meeting of the Council of Cardinals, there will also be some time set aside for a meeting with the new Secretary of State, in order that the Cardinals might have an opportunity to greet him, to wish him well in his work and to make an initial contact with him.
It is not expected during this meeting of the Council that an invitation will be issued for a meeting with the Commissions responsible for the financial or economic matters of the Vatican. This will most probably take place during the next meeting of the Council, already planned to take place in February (17th and 18th) just prior to the Consistory for the naming of Cardinals.
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