This group of cardinals has given the Pope advice on the topic of female diaconate and encouraged giving a voice to the Church in every region of the world.
The Council of Cardinals is a consulting organization with no decision-making power. It was created by Pope Francis in 2013 after listening to the cardinals' requests during the general assemblies, which are the gatherings prior to the election of a new pope. During these meetings, the then Cardinal Bergoglio took note of the Church's needs.
The Council of Cardinals is designed to be a complementary body to the Roman Curia. Its aim is to bring the requests and questions from around the world to the Pope. The Council itself is small. But it has representatives from every continent.
Previously, it consisted of 8 members and was known as C-8. Now with nine cardinals, it could be referred to as the C-9.
Some of the members include Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin; Archbishop of Bombay, Oswald Gracias; Archbishop of Boston, Seán Patrick O'Malley.
Honduran Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga has served as the Council coordinator for many years.
On different occasions, Cardinal Maradiaga has emphasized the importance of giving a voice to the Church in every region of the world, according to the new Apostolic Constitution, Preadicate Evangelium. The Council of Cardinals worked for nine years on the drafting of the document.
CARD. ÓSCAR R. MARADIAGA
Coordinator, Council of Cardinals
There is no need for every dicastery to be headed by a cardinal or a bishop. They can also be directed by a laywoman, a layman or a religious man or woman. But this does not signify populism. No. Rather, it means identifying that the vocation of a cardinal is to be an advisor to the Pope.
More recently, this group of cardinals was also consulted regarding female diaconate and the Holy See's communication strategy.
RM
TR: KG
