Most recent work of the Cardinal consultors

In the latter hours this morning, the Director of the Holy See Press Centre, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, held a briefing concerning the XV meeting of the nine Cardinal Counsellors with the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

The Council of Cardinals met with the Holy Father for three days: Monday, June 6; Tuesday, June 7; and Wednesday, June 8.  All the members of the Council were present.  Cardinal Monsengwo joined the meeting which was already in progress.  The Holy Father participated in most of the meetings.  On Wednesday morning, he was absent due to the General Audience which he usually attends.

The major part of the consultations were dedicated once more to the final considerations about various Dicasteries of the Curia, a subject which has already been the focus of previous meetings, in view of the writing of a new Apostolic Constitution.  In particular: Congregations for Bishops, the Secretariat of State, Congregations for Catholic Education, for Oriental Churches, for Clergy; and Pontifical Councils for Culture, for the Promotion of Christian Unity, and for Inter-religious Dialogue.

The results of the considerations developed during the preceding sessions on various Congregations: Doctrine of the Faith, Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, Causes of Saints, Institutions of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life - as well as those concerning new Dicasteries for Charity, Justice and Peace (which, as I have already said, would include the current competences of Justice and Peace, Cor Unum, Health Work, Migrants and Itinerants), have been entrusted to the Pope for further investigation and consultation that he may deem appropriate.

Some criteria which were present during these reflections were: simplification, harmonization of tasks and the various Offices, possible forms of decentralization in the relationships with Episcopal Conferences, ...

The following updates were also presented:

• By the Coordinator of the Council for the Economy, Cardinal Marx, and by the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Cardinal Pell concerning matters in its competence;
• By the Prefect of the Secretariat for Communication, Monsignor Dario E. Viganò, concerning the work of reforming the Holy See's communication systems, rethinking of the organization and work of the Secretariat, the processes used in production and the process of integration, especially between Vatican Radio and the Vatican Television Centre, which will take place next year.  The Council expressed gratitude and encouragement to proceed along the defined path;
• Cardinal O'Malley provided updates about the work of the Commission for the care of minors and introduced a reflection on the Pope's new Motu Proprio (Like a Loving Mother, 4 June 2016).

The next meetings of this Council will take place on 14 September and 12-13-14 December 2016.