September 30 Consistory to Install New Cardinals: Reflections from Down Under by Michael Gill
LC friend and supporter in Australia, Michael Gill, shares his thoughts about the recent news concerning the creation of 21 new cardinals before the Synod and the appointment of a new head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (the former CDF).
Michael Gill is a cradle Catholic, now 76. He was married to Kathy for almost 50 years; she died in 2020. They have three daughters and seven grandchildren. He has practiced as a lawyer in a private law firm, as well as participating in many community and corporate roles. He is now very much focused on the reform of the Catholic Church, particularly under the leadership of Pope Francis. He reads extensively on theological and other issues and is closely following the work of the Synod on Synodality. “
My sense of it from my reading is that, as we Aussies might say, “it’s hotting up.”
And it’s bigger than the Synod on Synodality.
So, last June, while he was supposed to be on a mild holiday, Frances announced the appointment of a significant number of new Cardinals, many young, most of voting age, and overall, reflecting very much where he thinks our church should be heading. He has now appointed 70% of the electorate for the next conclave.
One can sense some urgency as well as determination to ensure that the future will have little chance of pushing Jesus Christ back into the bottle.
“New cardinals, Francis has chosen men he trusts; In surprise announcement...consistory for September 30 to create 21 new cardinals, 18 of whom are under 80 and will be eligible to elect his successor.”
“The geographical rebalancing sought by the pope continues, albeit less markedly than in previous consistories. After the September 30th ceremony – on the eve of the Synod of Bishops assembly – there will be 137 cardinal electors, including 53 Europeans, 24 Asians, 19 Africans, 17 North Americans, 16 South Americans, 5 Central Americans and 3 Oceanians. A total of 97 will have been created by Francis, i.e. over 70% of cardinals under the age of 80.”
As if that weren’t enough, he has set the cat among the pigeons by appointing a new doctrinal boss and given him very specific directions about the role. The new Prefect is a fellow Argentinian, who has previously expressed views (possibly blessing gay relationships) horrifying to many of the Conservatives. At the same time, he has unarguable credentials in theology, and the like.
“In an unexpected and highly significant move, Pope Francis has appointed the Argentine theologian and archbishop Victor Manuel “Tucho” Fernández as the new prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.”
“Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández, newly appointed prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, is energetically defending himself from fierce critics.”
And following the working document for the Synod on Synodality (which raises all the hot button issues, despite, no doubt, many attempts to sanitize it) the list of participants, according to one leading journalist, will ensure a meeting the likes of which the Vatican has never seen.
“What's interesting about "Bergoglio's List" -- to borrow the title of a book that came out in 2013 and sought to tell "the untold story" of "how a young Francis defied a dictatorship and saved dozens of lives" during his native Argentina's so-called "dirty war" -- is that our now much older Francis is trying to use the synodal process, in defiance of widespread cynicism and indifference, to save the Church from internal polarization.”
The headline numbers, which excite some but guarantee no outcomes are 21 Jesuits including the Pope; almost as many women as Cardinals, and 10 Australians, 5 of whom are laity. Sadly, two of the Australians are bishops Fisher and Randazzo who thus far have demonstrated little enthusiasm for the Synod.
This Synod is partially, if not primarily a process to ingrain a process. Those who have not been authentically engaged from the beginning are now at a disadvantage.
Peace and joy.
Michael