Key cardinals defend Pope's tough talk to Roman Curia
December 26, 2014
Some of the top allies of Pope Francis have defended the Pontiff’s harsh criticism of the Roman Curia, saying that the Pope has the full support of the College of Cardinals.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, a member of the Council of Cardinals, told reporters that Pope Francis knew when he was elected that reform was needed at the Vatican. He said that “Pope Francis is doing that with great energy, and he has our support.”
Cardinal O’Malley went on to suggest that the Pope’s address to the Roman Curia, which took the form of a suggested examination of conscience, was like a meditation by “a Jesuit novice master.”
Cardinal Walter Kasper made a similar point in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, saying that the Pope “wants spiritual reform of the Curia.” He said that a restructuring of Vatican offices was necessary, but “the basis of the problem is spiritual.”
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, agreed. The Argentine cardinal told Corriere della Sera that the Roman Curia should provide “a model for living, not a topic of scandal.”
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Further information:
- Cardinal Sean O'Malley responds to Pope Francis' rebuke of church leaders: 'He has our support' (Mass Live)
- Catholic cardinals try to soften Pope Francis’ harsh message (RNS)
- Pope identifies 15 spiritual ‘sicknesses’ of the Curia (CWN, 12/22)
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Posted by: Frodo1945 -
Dec. 27, 2014 9:16 AM ET USA
I never thought that public criticism of the family was very effective. It tends to have the opposite effect. I do not understand those who air their criticisms of others in this way.
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Posted by: filioque -
Dec. 26, 2014 11:19 PM ET USA
Let's see: Card. O'Malley just finished throwing his brother Bishop Finn under the bus, so naturally he would want our attention redirected toward those nasties in Rome; Card. Kasper dissed the Africans and tried to blame a journalist, so ditto. As for the Argentinian cardinal,can he detail the scandal in the Curia? If it exists, please give us the specifics and act on them. I am getting increasingly disgruntled about the tunes people are playing, as they say, "from the top."
