Benedict prepares the Holy Revolution

Rorate Caeli ^ | December 30, 2005

[NYer]

The Italian newsweekly Panorama has a very interesting prognosis of the major events of 2006 in the Roman Curia in its last edition (with the same title as the one chosen for this post).

The main points of the article:

FIRST, after eight months, Pope Benedict has filled only two positions with his men: CDF Prefect, vacated for obvious reasons; and the Secretary for Divine Worship, who was picked because he was needed to "continue the dialogue with the traditionalist Catholics" (Panorama's words).

SECOND, and this has been well known for a few months, the Holy Father has chosen Angelo Comastri (currently Vicar of the Pope for the Vatican City) as his head-planner for a major restructuring of the Curia.

THIRD, Comastri would replace Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos as Prefect of Clergy.

FOURTH, freed from his duties at Clergy, Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos (who is past his age limit) would remain solely in charge of Ecclesia Dei issues (that is, relations with all traditional Catholics).

FIFTH, Abp. Piero Marini would be called to replace Abp. Comastri in his current positions, freeing the office of pontifical liturgies.

SIXTH, Marini would be replaced by his second, Francesco Camaldo, who is allegedly a favorite of the Pope.

SEVENTH, Cardinal Sepe would be trasferred from Propaganda (Evangelization) to Cardinal Szoka's current position as President of the Governatorate of the Holy See.

EIGHTH, Cardinal Dias (Bombay, India) would replace Cardinal Sepe as prefect of Propaganda.

In other changes, the Prefect of Apostolic Signatura would be transferred to Naples (as archbishop).

The article ends by reminding the readers that NOBODY is currently in a position that may influence the Pope's decision. Every one of the decisions will be solely his (differently, I might add, from what happened throughout the Wojtyla pontificate, as is public knowledge).

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Let me thank Domenico Bettinelli for his kind link to this blog of Catholic news, views, and comments. To all who came here though his link, thank you for your visit! Always come back!

[NYer]

Checklist in place for 2006.

[Aggie Mama]

I don't know any of these names, so is this a good or bad thing?

[TexGuy]

Will this invovle the 'Holy Hand Grenade'? [/s]

[ELS]

You beat me to it by 12 minutes.

[NYer]

I don't know any of these names, so is this a good or bad thing?

Sure you do! You just haven't put the face to it. If you have ever watched any of the masses telecast live from the Vatican, then this face should be familiar.

Archbishop Piero Marini is director of papal ceremonies.

[Clint N. Suhks]

prefect of Propaganda

That's really a position?

I don't understand any of this.

My head hurts.

[sassbox]

It's means evangelization, or propagation. I think it's called "propaganda" because of the Latin (maybe Italian) form of the word propagation. "Propaganda" in Latin doesn't have the negative connotations it does in English

[ELS]

Marini would be replaced by his second, Francesco Camaldo, who is allegedly a favorite of the Pope. Did you ever hear anything about Msgr. Camaldo?

Master of Ceremonies Franco Camaldo watches Vatican employees sign an oath of secrecy during a ceremony at the Vatican on Friday.(AP Photo)

Monsignor Franco Camaldo, Master of Ceremonies, adjusts the red zucchetto of German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

[jecIIny]

Am I the only one who has taken notice of B-16's attire? The man in that picture LOOKS LIKE A POPE! I don't think anyone has seen the fur trimmed collar and the jeweled pectoral cross since the reign of John XXIII or maybe even Pius XII.

[annalex]

In my humble opinion, the papal tiara is what really makes one look like a pope. But I agree that any traditionalism in the attire is a good sign.

[jecIIny]

Hmm from an traditionalist point of view I can see your point. But the tiara is definitely out. B16 even had it stricken from his coat of arms. He clearly believes that a bishop (esp a Patriarch) should dress the part. But he is also very clearly moving against both the symbolism and the substance of the papal monarchy that developed in the middle ages.

[Campion]

That's really a position?

It's the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, which runs missionary and evangelization work. In Latin, "Propagation of the Faith" is "Propaganda Fide". The word "propaganda" has taken on a meaning in English of "bogus public relations or lies", but that's not its meaning in Latin.

[ELS]

I don't think anyone has seen ... the jeweled pectoral cross since the reign of John XXIII or maybe even Pius XII.

I believe Benedict XVI has been wearing the jeweled pectoral cross whenever he wears the mozzetta, be it the satin or velvet mozzetta.

[Lady In Blue]

No. His vestments are magnificent and he carries himself like a Pope! imho. He reminds me sometimes in some pictures of Pope St Pius X.

[AlaninSA]

Are you reading Mother Angelica's biography? My wife and I are doing the same! What a wonderful story of an incredible woman!

I LOVE that photo of her after the World Youth Day when she makes that great statement against the liberal church in America!