Progress towards curial reform

Pope Francis’ group of cardinal advisers (C9) have moved a step closer towards decentralising the Curia and creating a brace of new Vatican departments, writes Christopher Lamb.

The group met this week for a session aimed at implementing the message Francis gave in a speech on the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops last October, when he talked about “the need to promote a sound decentralisation”.

According to a Holy See statement, there was also a final reading of proposals for the creation of two new dicasteries: one is to promote laity, family and life, and the other justice, peace and migration. These now await the approval of Pope Francis.

Cardinal Seán O’Malley, the Archbishop of Boston, reported on the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which concluded its meetings on Monday, while Cardinal George Pell, Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, reported on the status of reforms of the Holy See finances.

The meeting of the C9 was the 13th that has been held since its creation by the Pope. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, could not attend the latest meeting as he was undergoing surgery planned since December.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis has appointed a senior American priest working in the Vatican as the new papal ambassador to South Africa and Botswana. Mgr Peter Wells has been the assessor at the Holy See’s Secretariat of State since 2009 and served in the important curial department since 2002.

During that period he became a key Rome contact for the Church in the United States, in particular its bishops. He played an important part in developing the Holy See’s response to the clerical sexual abuse scandal and has handled a wide brief including communications and Vatican finances.

His new position, which will see him elevated to the rank of archbishop, is an important strategic one for sub-saharan Africa, where the Church is growing fast and seen by many as the future of Catholicism. As nuncio in South Africa one of his main roles will be appointing new bishops.  

But the 52-year-old Mgr Wells’ departure will highlight the perceived lack of American influence in the Holy See under Pope Francis, and strenuous efforts are likely to be made for another American priest to be appointed to a senior position in the Curia.