(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis created 20 new Cardinals on Saturday. Speaking on behalf of the newly-created Cardinals, the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura , Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, expressed gratitude, loyalty and generosity of spirit in service to the Church. Below, please find Vatican Radio ’s English translation of Cardinal Mamberti’s remarks, originally delivered in Italian.
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Address of Cardinal Dominique Mamberti
Holy Father,
Along with our brother bishops who today become part of the College of Cardinals, I offer you respectful greetings together with our sentiments of sincere gratitude and filial devotion. Joining us in prayer is José de Jesùs Pimiento Rodriguez who has asked to be able to receive his red hat in Colombia as he cannot come to Rome for reasons of age.
In the letter your Holiness sent us the day you announced your decision to call us to the College of Cardinals, you reminded us first and foremost that we have been called to a new service which is that of “assisting, sustaining and being close to the person of the Pope, and for the good of the Church”. We are grateful for having chosen us from all over the world to share your ministry is a special way, recalling that every ecclesial vocation is, above all, one of service to our brothers and sisters and to the Church.
Through you, Holy Father, the Lord has renewed that call He once made to each of us, inviting us to follow Him and to give Him our lives in the priestly ministry. The colour purple itself reminds us that the Lord asks us to share His love for all people: a love which, in obedience to the Father, is offered by Him usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis (“unto death, even death on a cross”). If there is any honour which is being bestowed on us, it is that of encouraging us to unite ourselves more fully with Jesus, of participating more deeply and completely in His sacrifice, of being with Him on the Cross – which is our salvation, life and resurrection, and through which we are saved and liberated. In this profound identification with Christ lies the origin of the responsibility to which we are called and of the service that with humility, generosity et usque ad effusionem sanguinis (“even unto the shedding of our blood”) we want to offer for the salvation of souls and the good of the People of God.
Becoming part of the College of Cardinals places us in a special way in the life and history of the Church of Rome which, in the lovely expression of St Ignatius of Antioch, presides in love. But we are invited to move beyond ourselves, our habits and comfort zones, in order to serve the mission of this Church, aware that this means having broader horizons. The whole world is truly present here as the new Cardinals are expressions of all the continents. Belonging to the Church of Rome means serving the communion of the universal Church. This communion is constantly nourished by the love of Christ – that obliges us to live no longer for ourselves but for Him who dies and rose again for us – and is fertilized by the blood of many martyrs who gave their lives here. May their example and their intercession give us the strength and the courage necessary to be witnesses of the Risen Lord until the ends of the earth and to bend over the wounds and sores of humanity today, bringing His mercy.
“Behold, Lord, I come to do your will”. The service to the communion of the Church requires us to renew our promise to fulfil the Lord’s will, meaning that we be ready to follow Him with trust and in humility, as your Holiness has clearly shown us. Blessed shall be that servant who shows himself trustworthy in small things, who is not overcome by pride, nor goes in search of things that are bigger or greater than his strength.
Holy Father.
In renewing our expression of gratitude, we wish to assure you of our loyal and sincere collaboration and of the certainty that you will find us close to you, ready to support you in the mission that Our Lord has given you – to guide the Church, and to confirm our brothers and sisters in the faith. We promise you our constant prayer, entrusting you and your ministry to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary, to the discreet help of St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, and to the intercession of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, heavenly protectors of this our Church of Rome.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis presided over an ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals on Saturday morning, in St. Peter’s Basilica. 20 new members of the Clergy of Rome were created, the Pope’s closest partners in mission. Addressing the membership of the College of Cardinals gathered for the occasion, Pope Francis spoke of the nature of ecclesial service, explaining that the higher one is in honor, the more perfect and absolute must be his spirit and dedication to Christ and the upbuilding of His Kingdom. “In the Church,” said Pope Francis, “all ‘presiding’ flows from charity, must be exercised in charity, and is ordered towards charity.” Below, please find the full text, in English, of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks.
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Dear Brother Cardinals,
The cardinalate is certainly an honour, but it is not honorific. This we already know from its name – “cardinal” – from the word “cardo”, a hinge. As such it is not a kind of accessory, a decoration, like an honorary title. Rather, it is a pivot, a point of support and movement essential for the life of the community. You are “hinges” and are “incardinated” in the Church of Rome, which “presides over the entire assembly of charity” ( Lumen Gentium , 13; cf. IGN. ANT., Ad Rom ., Prologue).
In the Church, all “presiding” flows from charity, must be exercised in charity, and is ordered towards charity. Here too the Church of Rome exercises an exemplary role. Just as she presides in charity, so too each particular Church is called, within its own sphere, to preside in charity.
For this reason, I believe that the “hymn to charity” in Saint Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians can be taken as a guiding theme for this celebration and for your ministry, especially for those of you who today enter the College of Cardinals. All of us, myself first and each of you with me, would do well to let ourselves be guided by the inspired words of the apostle Paul, especially in the passage where he lists the marks of charity. May our Mother Mary help us to listen. She gave the world Jesus, charity incarnate, who is “the more excellent Way ” (cf. 1 Cor 12:31); may she help us to receive this Word and always to advance on this Way. May she assist us by her humility and maternal tenderness, because charity, as God’s gift, grows wherever humility and tenderness are found.
Saint Paul tells us that charity is, above all, “patient” and “kind”. The greater our responsibility in serving the Church, the more our hearts must expand according to the measure of the heart of Christ. “Patience” – “forbearance” – is in some sense synonymous with catholicity. It means being able to love without limits, but also to be faithful in particular situations and with practical gestures. It means loving what is great without neglecting what is small; loving the little things within the horizon of the great things, since “ non coerceri a maximo, contineri tamen a minimo divinum est ”. To know how to love through acts of kindness. “Kindness” – benevolence –means the firm and persevering intention to always will the good of others, even those unfriendly to us.
The Apostle goes on to say that charity “is not jealous or boastful, it is not puffed up with pride”. This is surely a miracle of love, since we humans – all of us, at every stage of our lives – are inclined to jealousy and pride, since our nature is wounded by sin. Nor are Church dignitaries immune from this temptation. But for this very reason, dear brothers, the divine power of love, which transforms hearts, can be all the more evident in us, so that it is no longer you who live, but rather Christ who lives in you. And Jesus is love to the fullest.
Saint Paul then tells us that charity “is not arrogant or rude, it does not insist on its own way”. These two characteristics show that those who abide in charity are not self-centred. The self-centred inevitably become disrespectful; very often they do not even notice this, since “respect” is precisely the ability to acknowledge others, to acknowledge their dignity, their condition, their needs. The self-centred person inevitably seeks his own interests; he thinks this is normal, even necessary. Those “interests” can even be cloaked in noble appearances, but underlying them all is always “self-interest”. Charity, however, makes us draw back from the centre in order to set ourselves in the real centre, which is Christ alone. Then, and only then, can we be persons who are respectful and attentive to the good of others.
Charity, Saint Paul says, “is not irritable, it is not resentful”. Pastors close to their people have plenty of opportunities to be irritable, to feel anger. Perhaps we risk being all the more irritable in relationships with our confreres, since in effect we have less excuses. Even here, charity, and charity alone, frees us. It frees us from the risk of reacting impulsively, of saying or doing the wrong thing; above all it frees us from the mortal danger of pent-up anger, of that smouldering anger which makes us brood over wrongs we have received. No. This is unacceptable in a man of the Church. Even if a momentary outburst is forgivable, this is not the case with rancour. God save us from that!
Charity – Saint Paul adds – “does not rejoice at the wrong, but rejoices in the right”. Those called to the service of governance in the Church need to have a strong sense of justice, so that any form of injustice becomes unacceptable, even those which might bring gain to himself or to the Church. At the same time, he must “rejoice in the right”. What a beautiful phrase! The man of God is someone captivated by truth, one who encounters it fully in the word and flesh of Jesus Christ, the inexhaustible source of our joy. May the people of God always see in us a firm condemnation of injustice and joyful service to the truth.
Finally, “love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. Here, in four words, is a spiritual and pastoral programme of life. The love of Christ, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, enables us to live like this, to be like this: as persons always ready to forgive; always ready to trust, because we are full of faith in God; always ready to inspire hope, because we ourselves are full of hope in God; persons ready to bear patiently every situation and each of our brothers and sisters, in union with Christ, who bore with love the burden of our sins.
Dear brothers, this comes to us not from ourselves, but from God. God is love and he accomplishes all this in us if only we prove docile to the working of his Holy Spirit. This, then, is how we are to be: “incardinated” and docile. The more we are “incardinated” in the Church of Rome, the more we should become docile to the Spirit, so that charity can give form and meaning to all that we are and all that we do. Incardinated in the Church which presides in charity, docile to the Holy Spirit who pours into our hearts the love of God (cf. Rom 5:5). Amen.
(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 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 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)…
Officials of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue are in India participating in initiatives organized in cooperation with the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI). Fr. Indunil Kodithuwakku, and Indian priest Fr. Santiago Michael are joining Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India in participating in the events. The first of these meetings concluded on Friday in the northern city of Bodh Gaya, where Buddha gained enlightenment over 2,500 year ago. The Feb. 12-13 conference, the 5th such meeting between Christians and Buddhists, discussed the theme, “Buddhists and Christians Together Fostering Fraternity.” Participants from both faiths came from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Mongolia, Taiwan and India.
The next event is scheduled from Feb. 14 to -17 in Varanasi, sacred to Hindus, where the Vatican officials will meet their Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain counterparts, on the theme, “Celebrating Diversity of Religions to Foster a World of Peace and Love”. The event is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of “Nostra Aetate”, the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on the Catholic Church’s relations with Non-Christian Religions.
On Sunday an inter-faith prayer meeting is scheduled at St. Mary’s Cathedral Campus in Varanasi, organized by the Pontifical Council, the CBCI and the Diocese of Varanasi.
(from Vatican Radio)…