The Council of Cardinals who advises the pope just concluded their 30th meeting at the Vatican. The council's secretary, Marcello Semeraro, explained the status of the new constitution which will revamp the Curia. It will be called “Praedicate Evangelium.”
MSGR. MARCELLO SEMERARO
Secretary, Council of Cardinals
“The Curia is an organization, a structure of service. Therefore, the mutations and changes are those necessary for the Curia's service to be an 'ecclesial service' and to answer the exigencies and questions from the world.'
He said there is a main change to the last constitution, “Pastor Bonus,” which was created by John Paul II in 1988. This is the call for a missionary Church, one looking to evangelize to all peoples in all areas.
MSGR. MARCELLO SEMERARO
Secretary, Council of Cardinals
“'Pastor Bonus' was created for a reality that needed to be governed. All these ideas remain the same. However, I want to emphasize the transformation, the imposition and that launch of 'missionary' of which we read about in 'Evangelii Gaudium.' Because there was the reform of Paul VI, the reform of St. John Paul II, and it's right that this be the reform of Pope Francis.'
Msgr. Semeraro said the idea of listening is very important, especially when doing evangelizing work. Even the name of the document itself is taking this missionary call into consideration.
MSGR. MARCELLO SEMERARO
Secretary, Council of Cardinals
“Praedicate Evangelium is not an invented title. It is a taken from the Gospel according to Mark. It is the last mandate Jesus gave to his disciples - go and preach.'
While it has been rumored Pope Francis will sign the constitution on June 29 and it will be published in September, Semeraro insisted they do not know when it will be published, but they are hoping for sometime this year.
Before it can be published, the council is waiting for feedback from all Episcopal Conferences and all Vatican Dicasteries, after they have read the 200-page constitution.
