THE CONCHO PADRE POST

Vatican City, 6 March 2013 (VIS) – “At the fourth General Congregation, which began this morning at 9:00am with the prayer of the Liturgy of Hours, 153 cardinals were present. This number includes four additional cardinals who arrived and were sworn in today, three Cardinal electors: Cardinal Antonios Naguib, patriarch emeritus of Alexandria, Egypt; Cardinal Karl Lehmann, bishop of Mainz, Germany; Cardinal John Tong Hon, bishop of Hong Kong, China; as well as Cardinal Friedrich Wetter, archbishop emeritus of Munich, Germany who is not an elector,” said Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., director of the Holy See Press Office during his daily news conference with journalists.

To date, there are 113 Cardinal electors present. Tomorrow the two remaining Cardinal electors are expected—Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz, archbishop of Warsaw, Poland, will arrive this afternoon and Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man, archbishop of Thanh-Pho Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam tomorrow morning.

“In the fraternal spirit that characterizes the Congregations,” Fr. Lombardi reported, “Cardinal Dean Angelo Sodano wished a happy birthday to Cardinal Walter Kasper (who turned 80 yesterday), Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio (who turns 75 today), and Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval, C.SS.R., (who turns 77 tomorrow). Cardinal Kasper continues to be a Cardinal elector—he will be the oldest to cast his vote in this Conclave—because the Apostolic Constitution regulating the procedure for electing the pontiff establishes the age limit for cardinals entering the Conclave to be determined from the beginning of the period of the Sede Vacante.

This morning 18 cardinals addressed the gathering. Without going into details, the director of the Holy See Press office gave a general overview of their nature. “The major theme,” Fr. Lombardi said, “was the Church in the world, the New Evangelization. Other topics included the Holy See, its Dicasteries and relations with bishops. A third theme was a profile of expectations for the next pope in view of the good government of the Church.”

“There have been 51 speeches since the beginning of the Congregations,” he added. Given the large number of cardinals wishing to address the gathering, a five minute time limit was established but is not strictly enforced. It was decided that tomorrow they will meet in a morning as well as an afternoon session.

Regarding the cancelling of the press conferences that some of the American cardinals were giving in these days, Fr. Lombardi observed that “the Congregations are not a synod or a congress in which we try to report the most information possible, but a path toward arriving at the decision of electing the Roman Pontiff. In this sense, the tradition of this path is one of reservation in order to safeguard the freedom of reflection on the part of each of the members of the College of Cardinals who has to make such an important decision. It does not surprise me, therefore, that along this path there were, at the beginning, moments of openness and communication and that afterwards, in harmony with the rest of the College, it has been established whether and how to communicate.”

Also brought up in the press conference was the date of the opening of the Conclave. “The College has a great spirit of preparation that is serious, profound, and unhurried,” Fr. Lombardi clarified. “Perhaps that is why it still did not seem opportune to take a vote on the date of the Conclave, which a large part of the College could sense as something forced in the dynamic of reflection. It also needs to be kept in mind that some cardinals are still arriving and it would be a sign of respect for them to wait until the College is complete.”

In conclusion, the director of the Holy See Press Office confirmed that “the Fisherman’s Ring has been scratched over,” that is, rendered unusable.

Vatican Information Service

Rome, March 05, 2013 (Zenit.org)
Ann Schneible

Cardinals Seán O’Malley and Daniel DiNardo addressed the press this afternoon at a conference following the second day of the pre-Conclave general congregations currently underway at the Vatican.

The press briefing was held at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Although the cardinals were able to speak in general terms about the general congregation, all cardinals participating in the assembly are bound by an oath of secrecy regarding the specific content of the discussions.

Standard procedure dictates that the Conclave would begin 15-20 days after the beginning of the sede vacante, although it could start sooner if the cardinals come to an agreement. It is expected that a date for the Conclave will be set during these sessions of the general congregation, but this decision is contingent upon the physical presence of all voting cardinals. 110 cardinals have already gathered in Rome, while five more are expected to arrive in the next couple days.

Archbishop of Boston, Massachusetts, Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM explained how this week’s general congregations provide “an opportunity for all of the Cardinals to share their ideas concerning the situation of the Church throughout the world, and the possible needs of the Church going forward, particularly as we prepare to elect a new Holy Father.”

“It’s an opportunity for us to hear also from the retired cardinals who have a wealth of experience. They will not be coming into the Conclave, but it is an opportunity for them to share their ideas with us,” he said.

Cardinal O’Malley said that today they decided it would be beneficial to come together and “pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to guide us in these deliberations and these conversations.” Therefore, tomorrow the cardinals will gather in Saint Peter’s Basilica for a Holy Hour at 5pm; this will be open to the public.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Texas noted how it was “good to hear from the cardinals who are over 80 years of age who will not enter into the Conclave. A lot of them have been bishops of dioceses for years, or in the curia, and they have some interesting points of view to bring to our discussions.”

He also reiterated the point made by Cardinal O’Malley that the “general congregations are there to help the cardinals understand a little bit about the dimensions of what’s going on in the Church worldwide, and even locally. For some, they want more discussion about these issues.”

Responding to questions regarding cardinals under age 80 who will not be attending the Conclave, both Cardinal O’Malley and Cardinal DiNardo said that it was reasonable to assume that these cardinals had been excused, and their absence would not affect the start date of the Conclave.

When asked whether Pope Emeritus Benedict would have any involvement in the discussions taking place, both cardinals said this was unlikely. “I think Pope Benedict’s declaration that he’s going to lead a hidden life,” said Cardinal O’Malley, “is a very serious intention on his part, and I do not suspect we will see or hear much about him going forward.”

Cardinal DiNardo followed, saying that regardless of media representation: “Anyone who’s ever met Pope Benedict [would see that] he’s a very shy, very quiet person. And as he has moved into this life of prayer, he will be off the stage, and is not interested at all. There is influence he would have theologically insofar as he is a very fine, brilliant theologian. But from the point of view of influence that we would say is political: [my] knowing him, that won’t happen.”

The cardinals were then asked about their impression of the media coverage surrounding the pope’s resignation and forthcoming Conclave. ” All of us are, in some ways, amazed to see how much news has been generated by the Holy Father’s retirement,” Cardinal O’Malley said. “A lot of the articles that are being written are very reflective. This helps me understand more this moment in history… A lot of the reflection that is going on in our own Catholic community is what you see also being reflected in the newsrooms, because people are interviewing bishops, and priests, and the Catholic faithful, instilling from that a lot of the themes that all of us are reflecting on and praying over in these days.”

From Zenit.org

Grant,
we pray, O Lord, that,
schooled through Lenten observance
and nourished by your word,
through holy restraint,
we may be devoted to you with all our heart
and be ever united in prayer.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

The Roman Missal

Second Congregation:

The second General Congregation was held in the afternoon, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, on 4 March. Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., preacher of the Pontifical Household, gave the first of two meditations which are provided for by the Apostolic Constitution.
An additional five Cardinal electors who had arrived in Rome swore the oath: Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï, 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.

It was decided that, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Congregations will only be held in the morning.
Nine members of the College of Cardinals then addressed the gathering.

Third Congregation:

The third General Congregation took place from 9:30am until 12:40pm on the morning of 5 March.

Seven newly arrived cardinals took the oath. Three are Cardinal electors: Antonio María Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid; Zenon Grocholewski, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Catholic Education, and Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, archbishop emeritus of Lagos, Nigeria. The other four are cardinals over the age of 80: Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu, archbishop emeritus of Bangkok, Thailand; Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala, archbishop emeritus of Kampala, Uganda; Cardinal Eusébio Oscar Scheid, S.C.I., archbishop emeritus of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Cardinal Christian Wiyghan Tumi, archbishop emeritus of Douala, Cameroon. In total there were 148 cardinals present, 110 of whom are Cardinal electors.

There were 11 interventions from Cardinal fathers discussing topics related to: 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.

In the 33 interventions that have been given since the beginning of the Congregations, each of the continents has been represented and a wide range of topics has been covered. The Cardinal fathers address the gathering in the order that they have made the request to speak.

Number 37 of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis was read, with the changes introduced by the recent Motu Proprio, regarding the beginning date of the Conclave.

The Cardinal Dean proposed a text for the telegram to be sent to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at Castel Gandolfo, which the Congregation approved.

This afternoon, Tuesday, 5 March, work begins in the Sistine Chapel to prepare for the Conclave. It is therefore now closed to the public.

Vatican Press Office

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.”
Fr. Lombardi reported that the preparations for the Conclave have begun in the Sistine Chapel so it is now closed to visitors. He also presented data on the media coverage of the events of the Holy See in these days: 4,432 temporarily accredited journalists have joined the 600 permanently accredited journalists. The more than 5,000 journalists represent 1,004 news outlets, 65 nations, and 24 languages.

Vatican Information Service