Council of Cardinals reflects on process for selecting bishops

April 13, 2016

During meetings in Rome this week, the Council of Cardinals discussed the process of selection of bishops and the role of apostolic nuncios in that process, the Vatican has disclosed.

In a series of sessions held Monday through Wednesday, the Council also reviewed the offices of the Roman Curia. On the final day of this April session, a Vatican statement indicated, the Council "worked to gather, order, and integrate the various contributions that have emerged from the meetings so far," to begin drafting a new apostolic constitution on the operations of the Curia.

The Council also reviewed proposals for the creation of two new offices of the Curia: an office for Laity, Family, and Life; and another for Justice, Peace, and Migration. Proposals for the establishment of these two offices-- which would merge the functions of existing Vatican agencies-- were submitted to the Pontiff for his final decision.

Pope Francis took part in all the week's discussion sessions, except on Wednesday when he held his regular weekly public audience. All members of the Council of Cardinals were present, except Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, who was absent because of illness.

The Council of Cardinals is scheduled to meet again in June, with future sessions already set for September and December.

 

 

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Further information:

• 14th meeting of the Council of Cardinals: towards a new apostolic constitution (Vatican press office)