Archbishop De Magistris, 77, now heads the Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary, which has jurisdiction over the «internal forum» (questions of conscience), especially in what concerns the granting and use of indulgences.
John Paul II established «Ecclesia Dei» in July 1988 «to collaborate with the bishops, with the departments of the Roman Curia, and with the circles concerned, for the purpose of facilitating full ecclesial communion of priests, seminarians, religious communities, or individuals until now linked in various ways to the fraternity founded by Mons. [Marcel] Lefebvre, who may wish to remain united to the Successor of Peter in the Catholic Church, while preserving their spiritual and liturgical traditions,» the apostolic letter «Ecclesia Dei» explains.
Until now, the «Ecclesia Dei» commission, headed by Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, had four other members, including Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
