how the pope seeks to decenter the Church of Europe
1. Become a cardinal, for what purpose?
As always, the list of nominees for the cardinalate includes its list of prominent personalities and shadowy figures: thus Mgr Dogbo, 63 years old, former president of the Ivorian Bishops’ Conference, and the Japanese Mgr Kikuchi, president of Caritas Internationalis, rub shoulders with the discreet Italian Angelo Acerbi, 99 years old, who was a devoted nuncio for half a century throughout the world. The College of Cardinals assumes a dual function: for some, it is a new commitment within the governing bodies of the Catholic Church. For others, becoming a cardinal is more of an honorary title for services rendered. Some are appointed to head the dicasteries (ministries) of the Vatican administration, or even within the C9 – a small international group which directly supports the Pope’s thinking. By donning the famous “cardinal purple” (red liturgical ornaments), the cardinals also recall the witness that each Christian must bear, through their life, in the image of the Passion of Christ.
2. The rise of minority churches
Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has ensured the renewal of this assembly which will have 257 members from the consistory of December 8. With particular attention to proposing representatives of young or minority Churches, particularly in Asia and Oceania. This year, Iran and Algeria are in the spotlight, with the appointment of the Belgian bishops Joseph Mathieu and the French bishops Jean-Paul Vesco, who live respectively in Tehran and Algiers. While for several years, the Italian bishops, historically in the majority, were no longer named, this time, Roberto Repole, the Archbishop of Turin, is part of the list – he is also one of the members of the Synod on synodality. Three other future cardinals came from the Roman Curia, including the Indian George Koovakad, who had the heavy responsibility of organizing papal trips.
3. The new faces of the synodal Church
With the announced promotion, the cardinals under 80 years old – the only ones who can elect the next pope in the event of a conclave – will be 141. But by the end of 2025, 14 of them will reach the age limit. Over the past ten years, three quarters of the cardinal electors have been renewed. A few days ago, the British Dominican Timothy Radcliffe, who learned that he too was going to be created cardinal, opened the second session of the Synod on synodality with this appeal: “This synod will be a moment of grace if we we look at each other with compassion, and so we see people who are like us, searching. People who are not representatives of the Church parties – “that horrible conservative cardinal, that scary feminist!” -, but research companions, wounded but joyful. » From the synod to the future conclave, an invitation rich in meaning.
