Cardinal Monsengwo Pasinya was unable to attend these meetings.
The first day was dedicated in major part to the examination of a Draft Preamble to the new Constitution. This draft will be further elaborated upon.
Reforms in the field of economics and finance
Cardinal Pell, the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, presented an informative report and updates relating to financial reforms. He recalled the appointment of the new Auditor General and the approval of the new Statutes for the Pension Fund as well as the completion of the list of entities which have been submitted to the supervisory authority of the Council for the Economy in accordance with the Council's statutes.
He then referred to three new initiatives being undertaken by the Council for the Economy which will now form three working groups: one to analyse the revenues and investments; one for the management of human resources; and a third to study the existing computer systems, their compatibility and their efficiency.
He concluded by providing updates about various activities currently being worked on by the Secretariat for the Economy.
Briefing regarding the care of minors
In the afternoon session of 8 June 2015, the Council of Cardinals received a report from Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley, OFM Cap. with a proposal for the Holy Father regarding allegations of the abuse of office by a bishop connected to the abuse of minors, originally prepared by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Cardinal O'Malley’s report also included a proposal regarding allegations of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by clergy.
For each proposal, the report indicated the general terms which define it, issues relating to procedure and to the Tribunal which judges the cases, as well as the advantages of the proposal compared with other possible solutions. The text concludes with a list of five specific proposals made to the Holy Father, which are listed below. It is proposed:
1. That because the competence to receive and investigate complaints of the episcopal abuse of office belongs to the Congregations for Bishops, Evangelization of Peoples, or Oriental Churches, there is the duty to report all complaints to the appropriate Congregation.
2. That the Holy Father mandate the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to judge bishops with regard to crimes of the abuse of office when connected to the abuse of minors.
3. That the Holy Father authorize the establishment of a new Judicial Section in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the appointment of stable personnel to undertake service in the Tribunal. The implementation of this decision would follow consultation with the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
4. That the Holy Father appoint a Secretary to assist the Prefect with the Tribunal. The Secretary will have responsibility for the new Judicial Section and the personnel of the Section will also be available to the Prefect for penal processes regarding the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by clergy. This appointment will also follow the consultation with the Prefect of the Congregation.
5. That the Holy Father establish a five-year period for further development of these proposals and for completing a formal evaluation of their effectiveness.
The Council of Cardinals agreed unanimously with these proposals and resolved that they be submitted to the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The Holy Father approved the proposals and authorized that sufficient resources will be provided for this purpose.
Briefing regarding the Holy See Media
On the morning of June 9, the Council of Cardinals heard the report which was presented by Monsignor Dario Vianò, Director of the Vatican Television Centre, President of the Commission for Vatican Media, established by Pope Francis on April 23, 2015 (and published on April 30) and expressed unanimous appreciation for the feasibility study that was done by this same Commission.
In particular, beginning with the McKinsey report and that of the previous Commissions (the COSEA and the Vatican Media Commission which was presided over by Lord Chris Patten), the current Commission presented a plan for reform which can be implemented over the next four years, which would provide for the protection of all staff and a gradual integration of the institutions.
The institutions involved are the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, the Holy See Press Office, Vatican Radio, the Vatican Television Centre, l'Osservatore Romano, the Photography Service, the Vatican Publishing House, the Vatican Printery and the Vatican Internet Service.
The Council of Cardinals expressed to the Holy Father their positive opinion about this report and also regarding the timing of the proposal, which provides for the establishment of the Discastery and the necessary appointments of personnel within in the coming months so that it can begin its work.
The Commission is continuing with other work that also must be completed.
Other points
On Wednesday morning, the Council heard a communication from Father Michael Czerny, from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace regarding the Holy Father's new Encyclical and the preparations being made for its upcoming publication.
In particular, Father Czerny explained that, at the request of the Holy Father, some copies have been sent by mail, accompanied by a cover letter which was prepared by Cardinal Turkson, in order to inform the Ordinaries throughout the world about the upcoming publication of the Encyclical and in order to give them tips and suggestions - especially on Pope Francis' teachings and previous statements on the theme of the environment - so that individual bishops might feel prepared for the publication of the new document, and so that they might be prepared to provide explanations and appropriate comments so that the publication of this Encyclical might be seen as an important event in the life of the universal Church which is in communion with the Holy Father.
The next meeting of the Council of Cardinals is planned for September 14-16, 2015.
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