Vatican
City, 5 March 2013 (VIS) – Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., director of the Holy
See Press Office, in this afternoon's press conference, gave updated
information on the development of the General Congregations.
“On
Monday afternoon from 5:00pm until 7:00pm,” he said, “the second General
Congregation of the College of Cardinals took place, during which Fr. Raniero
Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., preacher of the Pontifical Household, gave the first of
the meditations provided for by the Apostolic Constitution.”
“Additionally,
a further five Cardinal electors who had arrived in Rome swore the oath:
Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, O.M.M., patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites,
Lebanon; Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, Germany; Cardinal
Rainer Maria Woelki, archbishop of Berlin, Germany; Cardinal Théodore-Adrien
Sarr, archbishop of Dakar, Senegal; and Cardinal Dominik Jaroslav Duka, O.P.,
archbishop of Prague, Czech Republic.”
The
cardinals are free to address the gathering, having only to sign up and then
presenting in the order that they have signed in. Nine cardinals spoke and it
was also decided that, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Congregations will only be
held in the morning.
Referring
to the third Congregation that took place this morning from 9:30am until
12:40pm, Fr. Lombardi reported that two Cardinal electors—Cardinal Antonio
Maria Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid and Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski,
prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Catholic Education—and five cardinals
who are over the age of 80 arrived and swore the oath. In total there were 148
cardinals present.
There
were 11 speeches given by cardinals representing each of the continents and the
topics discussed were: activities of the Holy See and its relations with
bishops throughout the world; Church renewal in light of Vatican Council II;
the Church's position and the need for the New Evangelization in today's world
with its diverse cultural environments. Number 37 of Benedict XVI's Motu
Proprio concerning the beginning of the Conclave was presented to the prelates
but no decision regarding its date was made.
There
was also a proposal, endorsed by the Particular Congregation, to dedicate
tomorrow afternoon to prayer in St. Peter's Basilica. The Cardinal Dean, Angelo
Sodano, will lead the prayers. This initiative will also serve as an invitation
to the entire Church to pray at this important moment. The ceremony is open to
the public so any faithful who so desire may attend.
In
conclusion, the text of a telegram for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, which was
signed by Cardinal Dean Sodano, was approved. It reads: “To His Holiness, Pope
Emeritus Benedict XVI, Castel Gandolfo.”
“The
Cardinal Fathers, gathered at the Vatican for the General Congregations in view
of the next conclave, send you their devoted greetings and express their
renewed gratitude for all your illustrious Petrine ministry and for your
example of generous pastoral care for the good of the Church and of the world.
With their gratitude they hope to represent the recognition of the entire
Church for your tireless work in the vineyard of the Lord. In conclusion, the
members of the College of Cardinals trust in your prayers for them, as well as
for the whole Church.”
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