(Vatican Radio) A new Apostolic Constitution will probably be written to replace
Pastor Bonus, which will emphasize the Curia’s service to the universal Church and
local churches. The Council of Cardinals appointed by Pope Francis to assist him in
his governance of the Church and reform of the Curia has been meeting at the Vatican
since Tuesday.
In a briefing, the head of the Vatican Press Office Father
Federico Lombardi, SJ, said we can “expect a new Constitution.” He said changes will
not be a "simple upgrade" nor "marginal", but will be "substantial". He said an important
reorientation will be with the Secretariat of State, which should be in all respects
a “Secretary of the Pope,” and that this will be part of the guidelines he gives the
next Secretary of State, who takes office on October 15th.
In addition, a separate
figure acting as a “Moderator of the Curia” could be appointed to coordinate relations
between the Pope and the heads of the various Departments and offices.
The
Council also spoke about the role of the laity in the Church, and how this role may
be more appropriately and effectively recognized and followed in the government of
the Church.
The Cardinals also continued their discussion from Tuesday on the
Synod of Bishops, as Pope Francis prepares to decide its theme and implementation.
Father
Lombardi said the Council briefly touched on the issues surrounding financial institutions,
but will wait until the various committees established by the Pope issue their reports
before discussing the matter thoroughly.
The date of the next meeting of the
Council of Cardinals has not been decided by Pope Francis, but it is expected early
next year.
Here is an English translation by the Vatican Information Service
of the full text of Father Lombardi's briefing: THE COUNCIL OF CARDINALS: A NEW
CONSTITUION FOR THE CURIA The reform of the Curia and the attribution of a more
incisive role to the laity were among the principal themes considered yesterday afternoon
and this morning in the meeting of the Council of Cardinals, instituted by the Pope
to assist him in the governance of the Church, said the director of the Holy See Press
Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., in a briefing with journalists. Before commenting
on the issues discussed by the cardinals, Fr. Lombardi referred to the words of the
Pope at the end of the audience with participants in the meeting held to commemorate
the fiftieth anniversary of John XXIII's encyclical, “Pacem in terris”, in which he
recalled the victims, currently numbered at 90, of the shipwreck this morning near
the Italian island of Lampedusa. “In the light of this new tragedy”, he said, “we
understand more clearly the value and meaning of the first trip of Francis' pontificate”.
Moving on to the work of the Council of Cardinals, he stated that the Pope was
present yesterday in the afternoon session, held between 4 and 7 p.m. “The Holy Father
goes to pray at the Chapel at seven o'clock, and that is the end of their collaboration,
although the cardinals may join him together, if they see fit. This morning he was
not present as he received in audience the participants in the meeting organised by
the Pontifical Council 'Justice and Peace'”. The cardinals worked principally on
the reform of the Curia. “The direction of their work would not indicate an updating
of the apostolic Constitution 'Pastor Bonus', with retouches and marginal modifications”,
explained Lombardi, “but rather, a new constitution with significant new aspects.
It will be necessary to wait a reasonable amount of time following this Council, but
the idea is this. The cardinals have made it clear that they do not intend to make
cosmetic retouches or minor modifications to 'Pastor bonus'”. The intention of
the cardinals is to emphasise the nature of the service on the part of the Curia and
the universal and local church “in terms of subsidiarity, rather than the exercise
of centralised power. The intended direction would be to put this into practice in
the service of the Church in all her dimensions”. Another important theme was the
nature and functions of the Secretariat of State, which “should be the secretariat
of the Pope; the word State should not give rise to doubt. This body serves the Pope
in the governance of the universal Church. The meeting of the Council is very useful
at the moment, in view of the directions the Pope will give to the new Secretary of
State, who will assume his role shortly, on 15 October”. Again in relation to the
Curia, the Council will address the matter of relations between the heads of the dicasteries
and the Pope, and co-ordination between the various bodies. “In this context, mention
was made of the role of a 'Moderator Curiae' (moderator for the Curia), and the functions
of such a figure. The issue was touched upon but no decision has been made as to whether
it will form part of the new constitution; however, it is in fact one of the hypotheses
suggested by the Council”. With regard to a possible reorganisation of the administration
of temporal goods, the cardinals touched upon this matter but without exploring the
theme in depth, since they are awaiting the “reports of the referring commissions
on the matter, who will communicate the results of their work [to the Council]”. The
question of the laity merited “significant attention” from Council members, as they
had received many suggestions and questions on this subject from their various areas
of origin. “When dealing with the reform of the curia and its institutions, the Council
also plans to give more specific attention to issues relating to the laity, so that
this dimension of the life of the Church is properly and effectively recognised and
followed by the governance of the Church. Now there is a Pontifical Council for the
Laity, but it is still possible to think of ways of strengthening this aspect”. This
morning, in view of the preparations for the next Synod, debate on the matter was
reopened.
Finally, Lombardi said that yesterday no date had been set for the
next meeting of the Council, although mention was made of a meeting in spring next
year, of an informal nature. “The intention”, he concluded, “is to continue, without
waiting for too long. Also, it would be incorrect to assume that nothing happens between
one meeting and another; the cardinals and the Pope continue to exchange opinions
and messages, even in the absence of a plenary meeting of the Council”.