The reform of Vatican at the center of the Consistory which opened this morning with a speech by Francis. For Father Lombardi expects it will take “considerable” time. "Two proposals seemed to have matured", the creation of two congregations that group together several pontifical councils.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Absolute transparency", "collegiality" and "Christian witness to encourage a more effective evangelization, promote a more fruitful ecumenical spirit; to encourage a more constructive dialogue with all". In Pope Francis' own words this is the goal of the reform of the Roman Curia, in its task "to assist the Successor of Peter in the exercise of his supreme pastoral office for the good of and in the service of the universal Church and the particular Churches".

With his speech, to the 165 cardinals present out of the total 228, the Pope this morning opened the work of the consistory, in the Vatican Synod Hall.  The central theme is the reform of the Curia which was the focus of the recent session of the Council of cardinals. The full implementation of this reform will take a "considerable" amount of time, explained Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, at a press briefing held after the morning session. "The finish line - he said - is not imminent and the process is quite complex. The final document requires serious maturation, both in theological and canonical. Therefore, the time required is quite considerable, we can say it will take a long time, despite the desire for the work to push ahead in a committed and timely manner. However - he added - this does not exclude during the reform process the singling out of more specific results that may lead to experimental implementations which can later be incorporated into the final draft of the proposed reform of the Roman Curia".

In this regard, Father Lombardi pointed to "two proposals" that "seem now matured. This would be the creation of a Congregation for Laity, the Family and Life and of a Congregation and for Charity, Justice and Peace. These two new Congregations would incorporate the various Pontifical Councils as well as the Academy for Life in the first case and the Academy of Social Sciences in the second case, as well as Caritas Internationalis".

The role of a Curia moderator has yet to be determined, said Father Lombardi, "but not in terms of an additional figure, instead the task of coordination and moderation would come within the mandate of the Secretary of State."

 

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