Top Vatican journalist sees 3 likely contenders to head CDF

January 16, 2012

Vatican-watching journalist Andrea Tornielli reports that Pope Benedict XVI will wait until April before naming a successor to Cardinal William Levada, who will step down as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The three leading contenders, Tornielli writes, are:

• Bishop Gerhard Müller of Regensburg, Germany, a noted theologian, longtime associate of Pope Benedict, and current member of the CDF;
• Archbishop Jean-Pierre Ricard of Bordeaux, France, also a current member of the Congregation; and
• Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, the American-born secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship, who had previously worked at the CDF under then-Cardinal Ratzinger.

Tornielli's analysis of the likely candidates is speculative, and he cites no evidence to support his statements. However he has consistently been accurate in predicting appointments and policy changes during this pontificate.

 

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Further information:

• The Holy Office: A seat for three (Vatican Insider)
• German bishop a likely choice to head CDF? (CWN, 1/11)