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Rumors, moves, and a tidbit
Sometimes when we who watch the Holy See closely are looking for clues about what might happen in the near future, we watch the audience lists.
Consider that His Eminence Francis Card. Arinze, Prefect of the CDWDS, has recently celebrated his 50th Jubilee as a priest, congratulations!, and that it is strongly rumored that the new Prefect will soon be the present Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo, Antonio Card. Cañizares Llovera. At the same time there has been talk the the present Secretary of the CDWDS, the great Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, might move to become the new Archbishop of Colombo in Sri Lanka. Rumor has it, actually, or so my spies tell me, that some folks in the curia have made it known that the Sri Lankan government would like to have Archbishop Ranjith. There is a lot of civil unrest in the Tamil regions and Sri Lanka and he could be a great help.
It is unlikely that both Card. Arinze and Archbp. Ranjith would "go" at the same time. They would want one or the other there for a period of transition before the other is replaced.
Be that as it may, I saw this in the VIS bolletino today:
Today, 1st December 2008, the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in Audience the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, who subsequently met His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.
The cordial discussions took into consideration the present situation in Sri Lanka in order to underline the necessity of meeting the basic needs of the deeply affected civilian population and consolidating the path of dialogue and negotiation, which is the only way to reach a just and lasting political solution to the ongoing conflict.
The hope was also expressed that the Catholic Church would continue to enjoy the full right to religious freedom, thus enabling her to make a significant contribution to the life of the country through her religious witness, her educational, health-care and charitable initiatives, and her commitment to work for the common good, reconciliation and peace.
This might mean something. It might mean nothing at all.
We shall see in good time what works out.
I’m not sure there’s anything in this, Father. The last I saw, Abp Ranjith was completely unaware of any move to have him sent to Colombo. Could it be a false rumour made up by those opposed to his liturgical views?
Comment by Mike — 1 December 2008 @ 5:36 pmNo it isn’t Mike. The fact of the matter is there are recurring problems in Sri Lanka between Tamils and Sinhalese, and the archbishop is admired on both sides.
There could not be a better person than Archbishop Ranjith to take over the see of Colombo, aside from the fact that our ballast on liturgical correctness will be somewhat weakened by his departure.
Comment by Andrew — 1 December 2008 @ 10:33 pmPerhaps the Holy Father could appoint someone like Fr Michael Uwe Lang to replace Archbishop Ranjith. What a signal that would send. Wishful thinking!
Comment by Thomasso — 2 December 2008 @ 4:52 am...and now it’s official. Canizares Llovera to the CDWDS.
Comment by Tim Ferguson — 9 December 2008 @ 5:19 am