Council of Cardinals reflects on ecclesiology of Vatican II

Casa Santa Marta

The Council of Cardinals is taking place in the Vatican from 1 to 3 October. Members concelebrate Mass each morning with the Pope in the Santa Marta chapel. Fr Frederico Lombardi told the press that following the first meeting on Tuesday morning in the papal apartment, they decided to continue the meetings in the Santa Marta guesthouse, where they all currently reside.

The meetings are taking place in a small room, not far from the Chapel, from 9am to 12pm and from 4pm to 7pm. Pope Francis participated in the sessions on Tuesday. He was not present due to the general Audience, but took part in the afternoon and will be present on the last day.

During the first meeting Fr Lombardi said there was an introduction by the Pope and a reflection on the ecclesiology of Vatican Council II, in order to define the nature of the Council in relation not only to organisational matters, but to "a broader theological and spiritual vision of the Church, inspired by the ecclesiology of Vatican Council II and the implementation of its themes".

Fr Lombardi said: "this is not achieved simply by means of a morning round table, but indicates the views the various board members take. They have considered issues such as how to revive and refresh the relationship between the universal and local Church, communion and collegiality, the need to be a Church of the poor, and the role of the laity; all points raised by Vatican Council II and which form a backdrop to the work of the Council of Cardinals. In the light of this, they will later consider structures of governance."

Each of the participants presented a brief summary of the suggestions received, and brought along material which forms part of the common working documentation for the Council. This has enabled the group to classify the major themes to be considered in this and subsequent sessions.

The afternoon session was dedicated to the Synod of Bishops and was attended by the new secretary, Bishop Baldisseri. "It is an important theme, both for the participation of the episcopate in the life of the Church through the synod, and for the urgency of initiating preparations for the next synod, about which we will probably know more within a few days. However we do not know if it will be an ordinary or extraordinary synod" said Lombardi, adding that the Pope had made reference to a "theme of an anthropological nature: the family according to the Gospel, but in any case it is not yet precise. The Holy Father also said that prominent themes such as family and matrimonial pastoral will be the order of the day in the activity of the Church in the near future."

He said: "Today, Wednesday, the Council has focused on other issues such as the reform of the Curia in its various aspects, the function of the Secretariat of State, relations between the dicasteries and with the Holy Father. There have been many suggestions and contributions. It is is long term task, and therefore one should not expect conclusions in the short term or within these days".

Source: VIS