Pope Francis today appointed Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, to two important Vatican departments that oversee priests and ecumenism.
The cardinal will become a member of the Congregation for Clergy and the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity (which also handles the Vatican's dialogue with Jews). This means he is now a member of four bodies of the Roman Curia.
At the end of last year, Nichols, who was made a cardinal in February, was named to the Congregation for Bishops – which oversees the appointments of bishops across most of the world – and the Congregation for Oriental Churches, tasked with relations with Eastern Catholics.
The Pope also appointed the other cardinals he created in February to a host of Vatican dicasteries. It is customary for the Pope to appoint cardinals to offices of the Holy See after giving them their red hat.
Cardinal Gerhard Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has is now a member of five dicasteries and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, of three. Members of Curial departments are asked to attend regular meetings of these bodies in Rome.
Above: Pope Francis with Cardinal Nichols in Rome
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