The extra-ordinary consistory of the College of Cardinals began Friday in the Vatican’s
Synod Hall. A day of prayer and reflection on the most urgent issues currently facing
the Universal Church: the lack of religious freedom, the Churches response to cases
of sex abuse, the liturgy and Anglicanorum coetibus, the norms on welcoming Anglicans
into the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals,
began the one day session by welcoming the Pope on behalf of all 150 cardinals present
and thanking him for the recent beatification of Cardinal Newman and the introduction
of a similar cause of beatification for the late Cardinal Van Thuan, for glory of
the Church in Vietnam.
Pope Benedict then took the floor giving a brief introduction
to the two main topics for discussion in the session, religious freedom and the liturgy.
He
recalled that the mandate of the Lord to proclaim the Gospel implies the need for
the freedom to do so and yet, in the course of history, it has meet several obstacles.
The relationship between truth and freedom is essential, but now faces the challenge
of relativism, which at first glance, seems to complete the concept of freedom but
in reality threatens to destroy it like a veritable "dictatorship." We find ourselves
in a time where we must work hard to assert the freedom to proclaim the truth of the
Gospel and the great achievements of Christian culture. As to the second theme, the
Pope recalled the crucial importance of the liturgy in the Church, because it is the
place of God's presence with us. Thus, the place where truth lives with us.
The
topic of Church freedom today was introduced by Card Bertone, Secretary of State,
and the theme of the liturgy in the life of the church, by Cardinal Cañizares, Prefect
of the Congregation for Divine Worship.
Cardinal Bertone gave an overview
of today's attempts to limit the freedom of Christians in the various regions of the
world. He asked his audience to reflect on the situation of religious freedom in Western
countries, nations that often are deeply indebted to Christianity for their identity
and culture, but today witnessing a process of secularization, with attempts to exclude
spiritual values from society. Then he underscored the situation of religious freedom
in Muslim countries, pointing out the conclusions reached by the recent Synod of Bishops
for the Middle East. Finally he presented the activities of the Holy See and the local
of Catholic Bishops, both East and West, in defence of religious freedom. In this
regard, The Cardinal recalled the many efforts of the Holy See in the international
arena to promote respect the religious freedom of believers at a state level and UN
organizations.
Cardinal Cañizares then recalled the importance of prayer in
the liturgical life of the Church, citing the doctrine of Vatican II and the Magisterium
of Pope Benedict XVI. In particular he stressed the importance of fidelity to the
current liturgical discipline. He also spoke of the serious difficulties currently
encountered by the Church in defending the basic values of natural law, such as respect
for life and family. Another argument put forward was that of inter-religious dialogue,
especially with Islam.
Following lunch, in the afternoon session Cardinal
William Levada spoke about the sexual abuse crisis. He spoke to the bishops about
their greater responsibility for the protection of faithful entrusted to them, as
well as cooperation with civilian authorities, the need for an effective protection
of children and young people and a careful selection of future priests.