Greg Burke, Director of the Holy See Press Office, has reiterated that Pope Francis and the Council of Cardinals are continuing to discuss curial reform.
During a briefing held this afternoon in the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican spokesman informed journalists about the 24th Session of the “Council of Cardinals,” often called the “C9,” which began Monday and ends this afternoon in the Vatican.
All the members of the Council were present except Cardinal Pell. Director Burke noted that the Pope participated in all, but this morning’s meeting, due to his weekly General Audience.
The working sessions were held in the morning from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and in the afternoon, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and were dedicated to further considerations on several dicasteries of the Curia.
According to the statement released by the Holy See Press Office, they dedicated much of the work to the re-reading of the draft of the new Apostolic Constitution of the Roman Curia. At the end of the drafting, which will take some time, the Cardinals will approve the text to be delivered to the Holy Father for further consultations and final approval.
Among the various topics that will form the new document, many of which have already been widely discussed in previous sessions of the Council of Cardinals, some of them are of particular importance, the Vatican spokesman stressed. These include: the Roman Curia at the service of the Holy Father and of the particular Churches; the pastoral character of the curial activities; the establishment and functioning of the Third Section of the Secretariat of State; the proclamation of the Gospel and the missionary spirit as a perspective that characterizes the activity of the whole Curia.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Greg Burke noted, updated the participants in the Council about the many efforts that are being made worldwide for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. The Archbishop of Boston had explained that during the recent Plenary Meeting, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors listened to the testimonies of the newly appointed members, coming from Brazil, Ethiopia, Australia and Italy. He also welcomed a group from the United Kingdom, the “Survivor Advisory Panel”.
Cardinal O’Malley also highlighted the widespread commitment and great competence of the Members of the Commission who represent very well the variety of the world’s cultures. He also reiterated the priority of having to start from the experience of people, continuing the work of listening to the victims and welcoming their experiences.
The Cardinals listened to Msgr. Lucio A. Ruiz, Secretary of the Communication Secretariat, who updated the Council on the current state of reform of the Vatican communications system.
This 24th Session of the Council of Cardinals marked the second council of 2018, and their next meeting is scheduled for June 11-13, 2018.
