From the intrepid Andrea Tornielli comes some chatter about the next Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. Will it be Card. Pell of Sydney or not?
It seems that things had progressed far enough that Card. Pell had been assigned an appartment in the Via Rusticucci, near the Vatican. I am guessing that that would be the apartment of my friend and former boss Card. Mayer, who died recently.
Perhaps not.
Apparently, according to those "sources" out there, Card. Pell has declined the position for reasons of health. At the same time there is also, it is said, an Irish association of victims of sexual abuse who have criticized the choice because they didn’t like the way Card. Pell handled some cases in Australia.
Also rumored for the post is Marc Card. Ouellet of Quebec City. I got to know him a bit in Rome and I found him to be a very impressive fellow. Other names are being bandied about as well, as usual.
We shall see.
This is an important assignment. Perhaps you would, in your goodness, stop and say a prayer to the Holy Father’s guardian angel to help him and protect him as he makes this decision.
10-4. Done.
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend him in battle.
Be his protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host –
by the Divine Power of God –
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of his soul.
Amen.
Always praying for the Pope.
Now, if I had a vote, I would go for Card. Ouellet. He seems to fit the resume very vell after reading up on him and the other rumored possibilities, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa, and Archbishop Mauro Piacenza.
Praying for the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
I’d have thought that Card.Pell would be a very good choice
Im a quiet fan of Cardinal Bagnasco, seems like an orthdox chap
I pray for the Holy Father every day, too.
Cardinal Ouellet sounds like a good choice.
Having lived in Marc Cardinal Ouellet’s seminary for two years now and having spoken with the Cardinal on a number of occasions, it is clear to me that, while he clearly talks the talk, he’s not great at walking the walk. I hope the Holy Father can find a candidate better able to get the job done.
I wasn’t aware that Cardinal Pell was having health problems. I pray he recovers swiftly.
And I was just wondering what else I could do for priests in these last few minutes of the Year for Priests (PST) when I read your request! ***Happy*** to do this as a wrap-up.
I don’t have much to offer, but I seem to be rich in suffering. It has been such a joy to offer up my trials of this year (the worst of my life)–for priests. It was such a good and worthy reason that it made the burden exceedingly sweet–even fulfilling! I look forward to extending the Year for Priests into the acreage of my own life.