VATICAN CITY, FEB. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The newest extraordinary consistory called for by John Paul II will be the first in seven years.
At the last one, held June 13, 1994, the Pope articulated to the cardinals the great challenge of moving forward toward full communion with the Orthodox Church, after close to 1,000 years of separation.
The Vatican announced today that the next extraordinary consistory will be held May 21-24 to address questions posed by the Pope in his recent apostolic letter «Novo Millennio Ineunte.» All 183 cardinals have been invited.
During the first extraordinary consistory convoked by John Paul II, and held Nov. 5-9, 1979, the cardinals analyzed the application of the Second Vatican Council, the reform of the Roman Curia, culture-Church relations, and the question of Vatican finances.
At the Nov. 23-26, 1982 consistory, the cardinals discussed the Vatican´s finances again, following the bankruptcy of the Ambrosian Bank, a private institution on which the Vatican depended for its operations. This consistory continued to analyze the reform of the Roman Curia, and the application of the upcoming new Code of Canon Law.
The cardinals were convoked again, Nov. 21-23, 1985, to study the Holy See-diocese and Pope-bishops relations. A decisive step was taken in the reform of the Roman Curia, which John Paul II implemented later.
The consistory of April 4-6, 1991, focused on two topics: «the war between the culture of death and the culture of life,» and the attack of sects on the Catholic Church.
The June 1994 consistory looked at preparations for the Jubilee Year. Some cardinals expressed opposition to the petition for forgiveness that the Pope desired for the errors of the children of the Church throughout history.
