As of right now, the position of the vicar general for the Diocese of Rome is open. The Pope made a number of internal changes in the Diocese. For example, he removed Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, who until now had been his number two in the city, but the Pope did appoint a replacement. The Diocese of Rome offered an explanation for this vacancy:
Due to the delicacy of the office of Cardinal Vicar, Pope Francis has informed the bishops, his close collaborators, that he will take time to make a wise discernment of who will fill that role.
But this was not the only change Pope Francis made. He also relieved the auxiliary bishop, Jesuit Daniele Libanori, of his post. The reasons for these two dismissals were not disclosed. But the diocese has been facing allegations of sexual abuse committed by the former Jesuit Marko Rupnik.
Nevertheless, Pope Francis has reassigned these two bishops to other positions. Cardinal De Donatis will head the Apostolic Penitentiary, replacing Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, who will turn 80 in the coming months. Bishop Libanori has been given the position of advisor on matters of consecrated life.
CA
TR: KG
