On the eve of the consistory to create 24 new cardinals, the princes
of the Church will examine the entry of Anglicans into full communion
with the Church and the Holy See's response to sex abuse in the Church.
Pope Benedict XVI's successor at the head of the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal William Joseph Levada, will present the
themes.
Capping a "day of reflection and prayer," the cardinals will take a look at three current and particularly sensitive themes.
The announcement came in a statement to journalists from the Holy See
which outlined the schedule for the Nov. 19 retreat of the College of
Cardinals.
The schedule for the day before the highly anticipated
cardinal-creating consistory includes discussions about religious
freedom and "the liturgy in the life of the Church today."
After praying vespers, the cardinals and cardinal-designates will
examine three important issues in today's Church.
The first theme,
proposed by prefect and Cardinal-designate Angelo Amato, will reflect on
10 years since the publication of the "Dominus Iesus," the declaration
by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the universal
salvation offered by Jesus Christ and the Church.
The second and third themes will be presented by Cardinal Levada. One
of them will address Pope Benedict's apostolic constitution
"Anglicanorum coetibus," which offers Anglicans a way to enter into full
communion with the Catholic Church in the form of personal
ordinariates.
Ordinariates are special jurisdictions within the Church
that allow members to worship according to a specific traditions.
The first ordinariate is expected to be created quite soon in the
United Kingdom. Five Anglican bishops announced their resignations on
Nov. 8 in pursuit of full communion with the Catholic Church.
The second presentation by Cardinal Levada is titled "The Response of
the Church to Cases of Sexual Abuse."
The theme is unprecedented, at
least publicly, among cardinals' collegial discussions.
The Holy See released a "Guide to Understanding Basic CDF Procedures
concerning Sexual Abuse Allegations" last April.
The Nov. 19
discussions, however, will take place behind closed doors.
Pre-consistory retreats are not a novelty in Pope Benedict's
pontificate, according to Vatican analyst Sandro Magister.
Before the
last consistory in 2007, cardinals examined ecumenical dialogue and
general issues in the Church.
In 2006, themes included the mission of
retired bishops, full communion with the Society of St. Pius X,
liturgical reform and Catholic-Muslim relations.
The College of Cardinals is currently composed of more than 200
members.
The 24 newly elected members will be made cardinals on Nov. 20.
SIC: SLR/USA