Vatican vetoes keynote speaker for Caritas International assembly
May 20, 2011
The Vatican has vetoed the proposed keynote speaker for the international assembly of Caritas International, the London Tablet reports. The move would underline the determination of the Holy See to exercise greater control over the international association of Catholic relief agencies.
Father Timothy Radcliffe, the former worldwide leader of the Dominican religious order, was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech for the Caritas assembly, which opens in Rome on May 22. But he has been dropped from the program, the Tablet reports, and replaced by Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher of the pontifical household.
The Vatican has placed several high-ranking prelates on the list of speakers for the Caritas assembly. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State, will preside at an opening Mass, and Cardinal Peter Turkson, the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, will speak at the opening session.
The Vatican has indicated a determination to strengthen the Catholic identity of Caritas International, and officials will discuss the requirements that the organization must fulfill to earn canonical recognition from the Holy See.
The assembly will also consider the future leadership of Caritas International. The Vatican declined to approve the incumbent secretary-general, Lesley-Anne Knight, for a new term.
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Further information:
- EXCLUSIVE Timothy Radcliffe dropped as speaker at Caritas summit (Tablet)
- General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis (VIS)
- Vatican asserting greater influence as Caritas International weighs new leadership (CWN, 5/9)
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