The ninth meeting of the Council of Cardinals (C9) concluded today at the Vatican. The council, which is charged with assisting Pope Francis in the reform of the Curia, focused on various aspects, including the restructuring of the Vatican media and ecclesiastical responsibilities in the protection of minors.
In a briefing today, Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, explained that the C9 reflected on various aspects of reforms that will carry into the following year, which will ultimately lead to a new Constitution.
They also reexamined an estimated 60 addresses given by Cardinals during the last Concistory on the theme of Curial Reform.
Pope Francis and the Council of Cardinals are gearing towards the creation of two large dicasteries: the first dedicated to charity, justice and peace; the second on the laity, family and life.
Fr. Lombardi also stated the Pope’s intention to institute a new commission on restructuring the Vatican media. A previously established commission handed in an initial Interim Report.
The Vatican spokesman also said that the new commission might also be “integrated with the people that the Pope considers most appropriate to decide what steps to take, in relation to the current reality and specific problems.”
During the meetings of the Council of Cardinals, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, president of the Commission for the Protection of Minors, discussed the theme of accountability regarding superiors (either bishops or religious) of priests involved in cases of abuse.
The Council went on to evaluate the methods and procedures in confront the “failure of responsibility” and “abuse of office” on the part of authorities responsible for supervising.
According to Fr. Lombardi, Cardinal O’Malley met on Sunday with members of the Commission for the Protection of Minors, who asked him to “make present to the Pope their worries on those who have important roles in the Church and their qualifications for assuming adequate responsibility for the protection of minors.”
A “precise and reliable legal text” will thus be assessed that defines the responsibilities of superiors, Fr. Lombardi said.
Concluding his briefing, Fr. Lombardi stated that the next three meetings of the Council of Cardinals will take place on June 8 -10; September 14 -16; and December 10 – 12.
