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 three Cardinal
electors—Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid; Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect emeritus of the Congregation
for Catholic Education; and
Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, archbishop emeritus of Lagos, Nigeria—and four 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.
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