Cardinals Gather for 1st General Congregation

Cardinals Gather for 1st General
Congregation


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Vatican Press Office Director Reports 'Serene and Constructive'
Atmosphere

Vatican City, (Zenit.org)
This morning, the first General Congregation of
Cardinals took place at the Synod Hall, located in the Paul VI Audience Hall.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, updated
journalists this morning about this morning's proceedings.
The Congregation was headed by Cardinal Angelo
Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, along with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone,
the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, and Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri,
secretary of the Congregation of Bishops.
After taking their places in order of precedence,
meaning according to their standing as Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priests or
Cardinal Deacons, they opened with the prayer “Veni Sancte Spiritus." Cardinal
Sodano began by greeting the cardinals and informing them of the technical
procedures of the meeting. The meeting was simultaneously translated into 5
languages (Spanish, English, Italian, German, and French).
Fr. Lombardi stated that of the 207 Cardinals
expected to come to Rome, 142 are present. Of those present, 103 are Cardinal
electors, those elegible to elect the new Roman Pontiff.
Following the norms on the election of the Pope
laid out in Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Constitution, Universi Dominici
Gregis, the cardinals in one voice, proclaimed the oath that is to be sworn by
all cardinals participating in the Conclave:
“We, the Cardinals of Holy Roman Church, of the
Order of Bishops, of Priests and of Deacons, promise, pledge and swear, as a
body and individually, to observe exactly and faithfully all the norms contained
in the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis of the Supreme Pontiff
John Paul II, and to maintain rigorous secrecy with regard to all matters in any
way related to the election of the Roman Pontiff or those which, by their very
nature, during the vacancy of the Apostolic See, call for the same
secrecy.”
Fr. Lombardi explained that after proclaiming the
oath, each Cardinal approached and, placing his hand on the Gospels, stating:
And I, N. Cardinal N., so promise, pledge and swear. So help me God and these
Holy Gospels which I now touch with my hand.
‘Serene and Constructive’ Encounter
Following the oath, three cardinal electors who
will assist the Camerlengo in the first three days of the congregations were
chosen by lots.
Those chosen were Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re
from the order of bishops, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe from the order of priests,
and Cardinal Franc Rode from the order of deacons. Upon being chosen the three
cardinals took their places next to the Camerlengo at the head table.
Although Fr. Lombardi was not free to discuss
specific details as to what exactly was spoken about during the General
Congregation, he did mention that, as is traditional, the preacher of the
Pontifical Household, Fr. Raniero Catalamessa, O.F.M. Cap, will give the first
meditation to the College of Cardinals early this afternoon.
“During the course of the meeting,” Fr. Lombardi
added, “Cardinal Sodano proposed to the cardinals that, if they sent a message
to the Pope Emeritus, he would give a written response for one of the following
meetings.”
Fr. Lombardi concluded his briefing on the
congregation, noting that the meeting was carried out in a “serene and
constructive” atmosphere. He also stated that there is a genuine “desire to get
work done” as well as a great “concern for the needs of the church throughout
the whole world.”


(March 04, 2013) © Innovative Media Inc