Pope Francis cements legacy, stamps Church future with new cardinals
Send a link to a friend
[September 30, 2023]
By Philip Pullella
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Saturday further cemented his
legacy, elevating 21 prelates to the high rank of cardinal and
significantly raising the percentage of electors chosen by him who will
have the right to vote for his successor.
At a ceremony in St. Peter's Square known as a consistory, Francis
"created" 21 new cardinals, the red-hatted "princes of the Church" who
are his closest advisers at the Vatican and around the world.
There are now 137 cardinal electors, about 73 percent of them chosen by
Francis. This increases - but does not guarantee - the possibility that
the next pope will share his vision of a more progressive, inclusive
Church.
Eighteen of the 21 are under the age of 80 and thus eligible under
Church law to enter a secret conclave to elect the next pope after
Francis' death or resignation. They are known as cardinal electors. The
three 80 or over were given the honour because of their long service to
the Church.
The new cardinals come from the U.S., France, Italy, Argentina,
Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, Colombia, South Sudan, Hong Kong,
Poland, Malaysia, Tanzania, Venezuela, and Portugal.
South Sudan got its first cardinal and Malaysia got the second in its
history, a continuation of Francis' policy of giving more recognition to
places he has called the "peripheries" of the world, often those racked
by war or where Catholics are a minority.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Sep/30/images/ads/current/humanesociety_sda022411.png)
KEY APPOINTMENTS
One significant appointment is that of Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yan of
Hong Kong. Chow is one of the major links to the Catholic Church in
communist China, where the Vatican is trying to improve conditions for
Catholics. The bishop made a historic visit to Beijing in April.
Another is that of Italian Bishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Francis'
apostolic administrator in the Holy Land, where the Vatican fears that
the historical presence of Christians is under threat.
"Diversity is necessary; it is indispensable," Francis said in his
homily at the service, during which each new cardinal received a ring of
office and the red, three-blade hat known as a "biretta".
[to top of second column]
|
![](../images/093023PIX/news_y26.jpg)
A general view of Pope Francis leading a consistory ceremony to
elevate Roman Catholic prelates to the rank of cardinal, in Saint
Peter's square at the Vatican, September 30, 2023. REUTERS/Remo
Casilli
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Sep/30/images/ads/current/napa_lda_FILTERSALE_090623.png)
It was the pope's ninth consistory since his election in 2013 and
continued changes over the past decade, during which the percentage
of Asian and African cardinal electors has grown while that of those
from Europe has fallen.
Francis turns 87 in December and whether he convokes another
consistory next year or in 2025 depends on how long he lives. While
he uses a wheelchair and a cane and has undergone several
operations, overall he has not slowed down and still keeps a busy
schedule.
On October 4, he will open a month-long major meeting in the
Vatican, known as a synod, that could chart the Church's future.
In his homily on Saturday morning he called for "an ever more
symphonic and synodal Church".
Using the metaphor of an orchestra, Francis appeared to refer to
divisions between progressives and conservatives in the 1.3 billion
member Church, saying one section or instrument cannot play alone or
drown out the others.
It was his job, as "conductor" to listen and try to achieve a
"creative fidelity".
The Oct. 4-29 synod has been in preparation for two years, during
which Catholics around the world were asked about their vision for
the future of the Church.
Proponents have welcomed the consultations as an opportunity to
change the Church's power dynamics and give a greater voice to lay
Catholics, including women, and people on the margins of society.
Conservatives say the process has been a waste of time, may erode
the hierarchical structure of the nearly 1.3 billion-member Church
and in the long run could dilute traditional doctrine. A second
final session will be held in 2024.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella, Editing by William Maclean)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]This material
may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |