THE EXTRAORDINARY CONSISTORIES CALLED BY JOHN PAUL II

VATICAN CITY, MAY 21, 2001 (VIS) - The extraordinary consistory which starts this morning in the Synod Hall is the sixth such consistory called by Pope John Paul. The 155 cardinals present are reflecting on the theme "Prospects of the Church for the Third Millennium, in the light of 'Novo millennio ineunte'."

The first extraordinary consistory took place from November 5 to 9, 1979 in the presence of 120 cardinals. With the Holy Father they studied the reorganization of the Roman Curia, the relationship between the Church and culture and the financial situation of the Holy See.

The cardinals met again from November 23 to 26, 1982 to study three questions: a better organization and more satisfactory functioning of the Roman Curia, the nearly-concluded revision of the Code of Canon Law and Vatican finances. There were 97 cardinals present. At the end of the consistory the Pope announced that he was calling the Extraordinary Holy Year of the Redemption.

Three years later, from November 21 to 23, 1985 the reform of the Roman Curia was again on the agenda of this third extraordinary consistory in the presence of 122 cardinals. The fruit of this assembly was the document "Pastor Bonus," which was published in 1988.

In April of 1991, John Paul II and 120 cardinals met to discuss "The Church in the face of current threats against life" and "The announcement of Christ, One Savior and the Challenge of Sects."

The fifth extraordinary consistory was held June 13 and 14, 1994 to discuss the preparations for the Jubilee Year 2000. There were 114 cardinals present.

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