Three countries will be represented in College of Cardinals for first time

Last updated on: February 13, 2015 at 7:08 am by CNA Daily News

Three countries will be represented in College of Cardinals for first time 2015-02-13T07:08:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Feb 13, 2015 / 12:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The different cultures represented by bishops who will be created cardinals this weekend demonstrate the Church's universality, thereby enriching the College of Cardinals, says the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Referring to those countries never before represented by a red hat, Cardinal Fernando Filoni told CNA their presence “is also making the Church very universal, not only in name but also in fact, in presence. These different cultures are enriching the cardinals' college.”

Of the 20 cardinals who are to be created during the Feb. 14 consistory in the Vatican, three hail from countries which have never before been represented by a cardinal: Archbishop Charles Bo of Yangon (Burma); Bishop Soane Mafi of Tonga; and Bishop Arlindo Gomes Furtado of Santiago de Cabo Verde.

In the two days leading up to Saturday's consistory, the College of Cardinals are holding meetings to discuss reform at the Roman Curia.

Cardinal Filoni said that during these meetings the new cardinals typically “bring to the attention of everyone their point of view”, and will also have the “opportunity to better know our work and how we do things.”

He added that there is a “balance of understanding and bringing,” noting that it “is very useful for us to listen, being here, and for them to understand and reach in.”

The Italian prelate also noted the how during past consistories, new prelates asked to be part of “the most important moments of decisions either to bring something or to listen to what is going on.”

“It's not just what others of different minds report but also what they themselves could listen to and see”, he said. “This opportunity of having this consistory is responding to their desire but at the same time to give them this opportunity and to us too.”

Pope Francis addressed the cardinals Feb. 12 at the opening of the consistory, stressing that “reform is not an end in itself, but a means to give a strong Christian witness” and “to promote a more effective evangelization; to promote a more fruitful ecumenical spirit; to encourage a more constructive dialogue with all.”

Pope Francis released the names of the new cardinals during his Jan. 4 Angelus address, having announced that the consistory would take place the previous Fall.

Of the 20 new cardinals, 15 will be cardinal-electors, able to participate in a future conclaves. The 15 new cardinal-electors come from 14 nations: five are from Europe, three from Asia, three from Latin America, two from Africa, and two from Oceania.

The day following the consistory, Pope Francis and the new cardinals will concelebrate a solemn Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican

Previous Post

February 13, 2015

Catholic Benefits Association appoints first-ever CEO

Next Post

February 13, 2015 A cardinal for migrants: Italy's Archbishop Francesco Montenegro

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What king went insane and lived like an animal?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Belshazzar Herod Nebuchadnezzar Ahab