Pope Francis makes significant changes in the Congregation for Bishops
Pope Francis makes significant changes in the Congregation for Bishops
In another very clear sign of renewal, Pope Francis has made highly significant changes in the membership of the Congregation for Bishops, demonstrating that he wants more pastorally-minded bishops involved in the selection process of new bishops.
He gave this signal not only by appointing 12 new members to that body, but also by not confirming 14 of its existing membership, including some hitherto very influential cardinals.
The Congregation for Bishops is that Vatican body of cardinals and bishops that oversees the process of selection of candidates to be bishops in Europe, the Americas and Oceania, with the exception of those for the Oriental Churches. The nuncios in different countries send the names of three candidates to the Congregation whenever a diocese needs a new bishop. The congregation vets the names proposed and then, in a plenary meeting held every two weeks, the more than 30 members of this body vote for the candidates to be bishops in this part of the world. After the vote has taken place, the Prefect of the Congregation, presents the final result to the Pope and, while he has freedom to choose whom he wishes, he normally approves the first name on the list.
In this latest move, which the Vatican announced on December 16, Pope Francis confirmed Cardinal Marc Ouellet (Canada) as prefect of the Congregation. He has held that post since 2010, and it had been widely expected that the Argentinean Pope would confirm him.
<snip>
More: http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/congregation-for-bishops-ouellet-30666/
I know. I know. He's a baaaaaad man who isn't doing a thing.
No need to see if his changes produce any concrete results.
We know they won't.
Do we?
= new reply since forum marked as read
