Holy Vatican See
05-05-2004, 08:00
From the Osservatore Romano
Curial (or Curious?) Rumors
Giuliano Marcusi
Leo XIV’s Inner Circle
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/LeoXIV.jpg
Technically, the entire Curia is the Pope’s “Privy Council” or “Cabinet.” In actual fact, most Popes usually have five or six Cardinals they rely upon regularly for advice and feedback in making decisions. There is no formal process for this, and each Pontiff makes his choices based on his own preferences and perceptions of the counselor’s role. The degree to which Popes choose yes-men or nay-sayers varies with the Pontiff, as do the areas of expertise for which counselors are chosen.
The functions of the counselors vary, too. They can offer advice (some Popes are more receptive to unsolicited advice than others; some prefer their counselors simply to provide feedback on demand,) and they can act as an “informal” channel for the Pope to work through. This is an important function, as the Pontiff’s “official” actions are the subject of intense scrutiny at all times and anything he chooses to do in a public, official capacity has virtually the force of law—greatly limiting his room to maneuver.
Another function is to be the Pope’s “eyes and ears” in the Curia. There has often (more often than not) been a constant, semi-underground power struggle between the Pope and the Curia who are, ostensibly, there to serve him in administering the Church. The institution is so vast, and so multifaceted, with so much going on at any time, that no one individual can encompass all or even a substantial part of the ongoing business of the Church. The Vatican bureaucracy is formidable, entrenched, and massive, and even the most energetic Popes are careful about how they take on administrative ‘fights.’ A Pope who does not either allow the bureaucracy to run itself more or less undisturbed, or keep an intelligent and discriminating hand on a few key reins, runs the risk of becoming a figurehead, or a “virtual” Pope.
Counselors, then, can be a Pope’s most important tool in working productively with the Curia, and appointing the right men to key offices is one of the most important decisions a Pontiff can make.
Based on the initial Distribution of Offices, close observation of who gets invited to informal breakfast meetings and similar unstructured ‘face time,’ and other esoteric criteria, popular opinion now assumes that the following constitute Leo XIV’s “unofficial Council of Counselors.”
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/AbpNataka.jpg
Archbishop Tenda Nataka, Sostituto of the Secretariat of State
As we noted in this column when the rumor surfaced that Angelini’s acting appointment as Secretary of State would be made permanent (you heard it here first!) Nataka’s long service with Leo when he was Secretary of State gives him a knowledge of the Pontiff that few share. Look for Nataka to be doing most of the heavy lifting at the Secretariat, with Cardinal Angelini pouring on the charm when needed.
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/CardinalRenard.jpg
Cardinal Jean-Paul Renard,Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Many expected Leo to choose a more middle-of-the-road theologian for this highly influential post, but the most informed sources say that the Pope wants to keep the ever-controversial conservative leader under close supervision. The “Blue Pope,” as Renard is known to insiders, can never be accused of being a yes-man!
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/CardinalHume.jpg
Cardinal Michael Stephen Hume, Dean of the College of Cardinals and President of the Pontifical Council for InterReligious Dialogue
And if Renard’s confirmation sent sighs of relief through the conservative ranks, what are we to make of ‘poster liberal’ Hume’s appointment as Dean of the College to replace the retiring Cardinal Esteban? Hume has been taking breakfast with Leo regularly—we’re speculating that this Pontificate will be re-engaging the ecumenical and interfaith dialogues that have lagged in recent years.
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/CardinalSales.jpg
Cardinal Rufino Jiao Sales, Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, and a member of the Commission for Economic Affairs of the Holy See
Another Cardinal who has been seen regularly in the Papal breakfast-parlor is Sales, a personal friend of the Pontiff’s for many years. Sales and Jean-Paul Renard have also had a number of lengthy meetings of late, which might indicate that Leo XIV’s Vatican is going to take a much closer interest in the doings of the Church’s bishops than the previous Papacy.
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/SisterConnie.jpg
Sister Consuela Alwi, President of the Council for Justice and Peace
Of course the huge stunner is Leo’s appointment of Sister Connie to Justice and Peace. She’s been running the Council for years under a succession of temporary appointees, and has made herself fit into the overwhelmingly male Establishment remarkably smoothly, but for this Pontiff, the Apostle of Holy Tradition, to break the gender barrier was more than unexpected. What can it mean? Look for future Curial Rumors to keep an eye on this one!
Other Curia Insiders
Others who are likely to have considerable influence include:
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/CardinalAngelini.jpg
Cardinal Carlo Giovanni Angelini, Secretary of State
Don’t write Angelini off entirely as a figurehead—he’s finding his feet (and some opinions!) fast. With a keen ear for public opinion, he’s likely to be useful keeping a finger on the outside pulse for Leo XIV.
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/Colasuonno.jpg
Archbishop Ersilio Colasuonno, President of the Vatican Bank
Colasuonno is another old friend of the Pontiff’s, and Leo’s advice was rumored to be behind many of the most lucrative and productive Bank projects in the last few years. The Bank is likely to wield considerable clout in the Apartment!
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/CardinalTgenka.jpg
Cardinal Dikame Tengka, Dean of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
The erudite African Canon lawyer has been behind-the-scenes in the recent reforms to the Tribunal’s review process. Tengka’s strict constructionism and conservative orthodoxy will please some, but there may be conflicts with lower tribunals.
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/IulioKwan.jpg
Monsignor Iulio Kwan, Personal Secretary to the Pontiff
Finally, one should never underestimate or write off the influence of the Pontiff’s private Secretary. The assumption that Leo would bring Father Francis Kwan with him from the Secretariat of State was confounded when he opted to tap the other Kwan: Father (now Monsignor) Iulio Kwan, who had been Cardinal di Corneliano’s Secretary in the Camerlengo’s office.
Insiders think this is a back door access move for di Corneliano, whose seeming removal from the limelight was softened by making him Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and President of the Council Cor Unum. Cardinal Thiandoum, who had held the office under Sixtus, went to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, in place of the retiring Cardinal Meyers. Having a new Prefect to train in is not likely to speed things up in that notoriously slow office!
Otherwise, the new Pope made remarkably few changes among the Dicasteries, leaving most offices to benefit by continunity. And tradition, of course!
(OOC: For a more complete listing of who goes with what office in the Vatican, see this:
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3128931#3128931)
Curial (or Curious?) Rumors
Giuliano Marcusi
Leo XIV’s Inner Circle
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/LeoXIV.jpg
Technically, the entire Curia is the Pope’s “Privy Council” or “Cabinet.” In actual fact, most Popes usually have five or six Cardinals they rely upon regularly for advice and feedback in making decisions. There is no formal process for this, and each Pontiff makes his choices based on his own preferences and perceptions of the counselor’s role. The degree to which Popes choose yes-men or nay-sayers varies with the Pontiff, as do the areas of expertise for which counselors are chosen.
The functions of the counselors vary, too. They can offer advice (some Popes are more receptive to unsolicited advice than others; some prefer their counselors simply to provide feedback on demand,) and they can act as an “informal” channel for the Pope to work through. This is an important function, as the Pontiff’s “official” actions are the subject of intense scrutiny at all times and anything he chooses to do in a public, official capacity has virtually the force of law—greatly limiting his room to maneuver.
Another function is to be the Pope’s “eyes and ears” in the Curia. There has often (more often than not) been a constant, semi-underground power struggle between the Pope and the Curia who are, ostensibly, there to serve him in administering the Church. The institution is so vast, and so multifaceted, with so much going on at any time, that no one individual can encompass all or even a substantial part of the ongoing business of the Church. The Vatican bureaucracy is formidable, entrenched, and massive, and even the most energetic Popes are careful about how they take on administrative ‘fights.’ A Pope who does not either allow the bureaucracy to run itself more or less undisturbed, or keep an intelligent and discriminating hand on a few key reins, runs the risk of becoming a figurehead, or a “virtual” Pope.
Counselors, then, can be a Pope’s most important tool in working productively with the Curia, and appointing the right men to key offices is one of the most important decisions a Pontiff can make.
Based on the initial Distribution of Offices, close observation of who gets invited to informal breakfast meetings and similar unstructured ‘face time,’ and other esoteric criteria, popular opinion now assumes that the following constitute Leo XIV’s “unofficial Council of Counselors.”
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/AbpNataka.jpg
Archbishop Tenda Nataka, Sostituto of the Secretariat of State
As we noted in this column when the rumor surfaced that Angelini’s acting appointment as Secretary of State would be made permanent (you heard it here first!) Nataka’s long service with Leo when he was Secretary of State gives him a knowledge of the Pontiff that few share. Look for Nataka to be doing most of the heavy lifting at the Secretariat, with Cardinal Angelini pouring on the charm when needed.
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/CardinalRenard.jpg
Cardinal Jean-Paul Renard,Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Many expected Leo to choose a more middle-of-the-road theologian for this highly influential post, but the most informed sources say that the Pope wants to keep the ever-controversial conservative leader under close supervision. The “Blue Pope,” as Renard is known to insiders, can never be accused of being a yes-man!
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/CardinalHume.jpg
Cardinal Michael Stephen Hume, Dean of the College of Cardinals and President of the Pontifical Council for InterReligious Dialogue
And if Renard’s confirmation sent sighs of relief through the conservative ranks, what are we to make of ‘poster liberal’ Hume’s appointment as Dean of the College to replace the retiring Cardinal Esteban? Hume has been taking breakfast with Leo regularly—we’re speculating that this Pontificate will be re-engaging the ecumenical and interfaith dialogues that have lagged in recent years.
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/CardinalSales.jpg
Cardinal Rufino Jiao Sales, Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, and a member of the Commission for Economic Affairs of the Holy See
Another Cardinal who has been seen regularly in the Papal breakfast-parlor is Sales, a personal friend of the Pontiff’s for many years. Sales and Jean-Paul Renard have also had a number of lengthy meetings of late, which might indicate that Leo XIV’s Vatican is going to take a much closer interest in the doings of the Church’s bishops than the previous Papacy.
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/SisterConnie.jpg
Sister Consuela Alwi, President of the Council for Justice and Peace
Of course the huge stunner is Leo’s appointment of Sister Connie to Justice and Peace. She’s been running the Council for years under a succession of temporary appointees, and has made herself fit into the overwhelmingly male Establishment remarkably smoothly, but for this Pontiff, the Apostle of Holy Tradition, to break the gender barrier was more than unexpected. What can it mean? Look for future Curial Rumors to keep an eye on this one!
Other Curia Insiders
Others who are likely to have considerable influence include:
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/CardinalAngelini.jpg
Cardinal Carlo Giovanni Angelini, Secretary of State
Don’t write Angelini off entirely as a figurehead—he’s finding his feet (and some opinions!) fast. With a keen ear for public opinion, he’s likely to be useful keeping a finger on the outside pulse for Leo XIV.
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/Colasuonno.jpg
Archbishop Ersilio Colasuonno, President of the Vatican Bank
Colasuonno is another old friend of the Pontiff’s, and Leo’s advice was rumored to be behind many of the most lucrative and productive Bank projects in the last few years. The Bank is likely to wield considerable clout in the Apartment!
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/CardinalTgenka.jpg
Cardinal Dikame Tengka, Dean of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
The erudite African Canon lawyer has been behind-the-scenes in the recent reforms to the Tribunal’s review process. Tengka’s strict constructionism and conservative orthodoxy will please some, but there may be conflicts with lower tribunals.
http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/16929/IulioKwan.jpg
Monsignor Iulio Kwan, Personal Secretary to the Pontiff
Finally, one should never underestimate or write off the influence of the Pontiff’s private Secretary. The assumption that Leo would bring Father Francis Kwan with him from the Secretariat of State was confounded when he opted to tap the other Kwan: Father (now Monsignor) Iulio Kwan, who had been Cardinal di Corneliano’s Secretary in the Camerlengo’s office.
Insiders think this is a back door access move for di Corneliano, whose seeming removal from the limelight was softened by making him Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and President of the Council Cor Unum. Cardinal Thiandoum, who had held the office under Sixtus, went to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, in place of the retiring Cardinal Meyers. Having a new Prefect to train in is not likely to speed things up in that notoriously slow office!
Otherwise, the new Pope made remarkably few changes among the Dicasteries, leaving most offices to benefit by continunity. And tradition, of course!
(OOC: For a more complete listing of who goes with what office in the Vatican, see this:
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3128931#3128931)