Curia: Abp Di Noia moves to “Ecclesia Dei” Commission

(Vatican Radio) On Tuesday Pope Benedict XVI approved a series of curial appointments. Among those of note that of U.S native Archbishop Augustine Di Noia as Vice President of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei”.

The position of Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, which Archbishop had held until his new appointment, will be filled by Arthur Roche, who has also been made an Archbishop. The new Secretary has served until now as Bishop of Leeds in England.

Following the announcement of Archbishop Di Noia’s appointment the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, whose Prefect Cardinal William Levada is also President of the Ecclesia Dei Commission, issued the following note:

"Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, OP, to the post of vice president of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei.” The appointment of a high-ranking prelate to this position is a sign of the Holy Father’s pastoral solicitude for traditionalist Catholics in communion with the Holy See and his strong desire for the reconciliation of those traditionalist communities not in union with the See of Peter. The president of the commission is the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal William J. Levada.

The Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei” was established in 1988 by Blessed John Paul II to facilitate “full ecclesial communion of priests, seminarians, religious communities or individuals until now linked in various ways to the Fraternity founded by Archbishop Lefebvre” and to promote the pastoral care of the faithful attached to the ancient Latin liturgical tradition of the Catholic Church. In 2009, the Pontifical Commission was structurally linked to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to address the doctrinal issues in the ongoing dialogue between the Holy See and the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X.

As a respected Dominican theologian, Archbishop Di Noia has devoted much attention to these doctrinal issues, as well as to the priority of the hermeneutic of continuity and reform in the right interpretation of the Second Vatican Council—a critically important area in the dialogue between the Holy See and the Priestly Fraternity. Under the guidance of Cardinal Levada, with the assistance of Mons. Guido Pozzo, secretary of the Pontifical Commission, this dialogue has been ongoing over the past three years.

Previously, Archbishop Di Noia served as secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments where, together with the Prefect, Cardinal Antonio Canizares, he oversaw the reorganization of the dicastery and the preparation of a new Regolamento following the directions of Pope Benedict’s motu proprio of 30 August 2011, Quaerit Semper. Archbishop Di Noia’s experience and continued association with the Congregation for Divine Worship will facilitate the development of certain desired liturgical provisions in the celebration of the 1962 Missale Romanum.

In addition, the broad respect that Archbishop Di Noia enjoys in the Jewish community will help in addressing some issues that have arisen in the area of Catholic-Jewish relations as the journey towards the reconciliation of traditionalist communities has progressed".

Also topping Tuesday's list is the nomination of Archbishop Jean Louis Bruguès to the post of Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church. Archbishop Bruguès was formerly Secretary of the Congregation for Education.

Vincenzo Paglia, until now Bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia, has been named as the new President for the Pontifical Council of the Family, and been elevated to the dignity of Archbishop. He succeeds Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, who has resigned his charge on account of age.

The Bishop of Kigoma, Protase Rugambwa has been appointed as Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, and named an Archbishop. He succeeds Archbishop Piergiuseppe Vacchelli, who has resigned having reached the age limit.

Finally Pope Benedict has called Krzysztof Józef Nykiel, until now an official of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, to succeed Bishop Gianfranco Girotti as Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, who has likewise resigned on account of age.