(Vatican Radio) The head of the bishops conference in England and Wales says the Church must be a model of dialogue as it seeks consensus on the reforms of the Roman Curia. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster was speaking during a meeting of the College of Cardinals which is preceding a public consistory to be held in St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday.
Pope Francis addressed the opening session of the meeting on Thursday, saying the goal of the ongoing reform programme is to achieve more effective collaboration between different parts of the Roman Curia and to promote collegiality between Rome and bishops conferences around the world.
Philippa Hitchen spoke with Cardinal Nichols to find out more about the focus of discussions at the closed door meeting…
Listen:
Cardinal Nichols says the cardinals have emphasised the need to “deepen the spirit and ethos” of the Curia to ensure that officials are chosen not just for their competency but also for “their spirit of missionary service and generosity”. Secondly, he notes there has been much discussion of the specific roles of the different entities of the Roman Curia and thirdly, the best ways of promoting efficient cooperation between them.
Regarding relations between the Curia and local bishops conferences, the cardinal says in past centuries the strength of the Pope’s position has defended many dioceses in dire circumstances. He notes the “strengths and needs of particular Churches” on the one hand and the “ministry of Peter” on the other – all that goes on between them must serve the whole Church.
Commenting on Pope Francis’ call for the reforms of the Curia to “promote dialogue and an ecumenical spirit”, Cardinal Nichols says “the way we operate in the Church is the first signal that we give to potential partners in dialogue”. Quoting Pope Paul VI, he says there are so many areas of conflict in the world that the Church must be modelling dialogue “within our own family”.
Commenting on perceived opposition to Pope Francis’ reform programme, the Cardinal says “structural change is always difficult” but it is also vital to go beyond that and be willing to “engage in self-assessment all the time”.
Asked about the role of lay people within the reform programme, Cardinal Nichols says there has been discussion about the different forms of authority and their relationship to Holy Orders. “It’s early days yet to see a prefect of a congregation being a lay person” he says, adding that experts in canon law may be examining this issue. While some lay people want to play a more central role in the running of the Church, he says the other challenge is to “recognise the struggle and competency of lay people putting flesh to the Gospel in their daily lives”. English
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The head of the bishops conference in England and Wales says the Church must be a model of dialogue as it seeks consensus on the reforms of the Roman Curia. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster was speaking during a meeting of the College of Cardinals which is preceding a public consistory…
Read more
(Vatican Radio) The head of the bishops conference in England and Wales says the Church must be a model of dialogue as it seeks consensus on the reforms of the Roman Curia. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster was speaking during a meeting of the College of Cardinals which is preceding a public consistory…
Read more
(Vatican Radio) The head of the bishops conference in England and Wales says the Church must be a model of dialogue as it seeks consensus on the reforms of the Roman Curia. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the archbishop of Westminster was speaking during a meeting of the College of Cardinals which is preceding a public consistory…
Read more
(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Holy See’s Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, says the decentralization of the Curia, the role of women and the ongoing economic and administrative reforms were among the main topics discussed by the cardinals at the Consistory on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Father Lombardi’s remarks came at a press briefing on the 2nd day of the cardinals’ discussions on reform of the Roman Curia.
Speaking to the journalists gathered at the Holy See’s Press Office, Father Lombardi said the discussions at the Extraordinary Consistory had proceeded in a “very calm and constructive” atmosphere and the last 24 hours had seen speeches by 40 cardinals on a broad range of topics. He confirmed that Pope Francis was present during the sessions but did not speak himself. Father Lombardi said one of the recurring themes during the discussions was the relationship between the roman Curia and the local Bishops Conferences and how to decentralize the Curia “in a spirit of subsidiarity.” In this context, he said speakers spoke of the need to decide which responsibilities should be handled by the Curia and which by the local Church but also of how the central role of the Curia is important in countries where the local churches are in “a situation of weakness.”
Turning to the role of lay people and women within the Vatican, Father Lombardi said a number of speakers expressed the hope of “an increasingly active role” for them, especially when it comes to the issue of women holding positions of leadership within the roman Curia.
Friday morning’s session was entirely given over to a wide-ranging discussion on the ongoing economic reforms being carried out by the newly-formed Secretariat for the Economy. Cardinal George Pell, the Secretariat’s head and three other speakers gave a presentation, supplemented by slides, on the current state of the Vatican’s finances. Father Lombardi said many of those present expressed appreciation for the new shape of the Holy See’s finances that is emerging thanks to these reforms. He said this reform process comes across as a fairly “convincing” one that is earning plaudits for its “transparency and competency.” Father Lombardi said Friday afternoon’s session was scheduled to include a presentation by U.S. Cardinal Patrick O’Malley reporting on the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
Following the briefing, Father Lombardi confirmed that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be among those attending this weekend’s Ordinary Consistory during which 20 prelates will be created cardinals.
(from Vatican Radio)…