How Pope Benedict chooses top Vatican officials
December 21, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI has now appointed 20 of the top 25 officials serving in the Roman Curia, notes John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter)—with a 21st appointment (a new prefect for the Congregation for Religious) expected soon. What sort of prelates has he chosen?
Allen says that the papal choices share three characteristics in common. They are generally “intellectuals and men of culture” rather than “career diplomats or church bureaucrats.” They are drawn disproportionately from Europe and North America rather than the developing world. And they are personally acquainted with the Pope—in a surprising number of cases, because they worked with then-Cardinal Ratzinger in previous assignments.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
