An examination of the workings of the Roman Curia was the first order of business for the Council of Cardinals whose members met today.
This is the second set of meetings held by the eight-member council, established by Pope Francis to advise him on the reform of the Roman Curia.
The council, which was officially established by Pope Francis on September 28th, concelebrated the Holy Father’s daily Mass this morning at Casa Santa Marta.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, told reporters that the cardinals continued their work from their last meeting in October, beginning with an examination of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments.
Fr. Lombardi indicated that there was no specific reason for starting their work on that specific congregation.
Reiterating several points made during the last meeting of the Council, Fr. Lombardi stressed that the Holy Father and the Cardinals will not work on retouching the Apostolic Constitution ‘Pastor Bonus’. Rather they will work on an entirely new constitution with new aspects to the Roman Curia.
Fr. Lombardi also told journalists that it is foreseen that the Council will invite the new Vatican Secretary of State, Archbishop Pietro Parolin to the meetings.
After the Council concludes its meeting on Thursday, it will reconvene for a third time in February. Fr. Lombardi noted that while certain conclusions from the Council may be presented by the Pope to a Consistory of Cardinals after their third meeting, it doesn’t not mean that their work will be over.
“There cannot be a certain rushed perspective, they wish to take their time,” he said. “I don’t believe that February will be a conclusion of the work of the Council. The rhythm of the work of the Council of Cardinal in reforming the [Roman] Curia requires a lot of time.”
