Tag Archives: general congregations

IF The ‘Dean’ Was Precluded From Attending The Pre-Conclave ‘General Congregations’.

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by Anura Guruge
on November 8, 2023

Click to ENLARGE & view here. ‘Page 156 ‘Appendix B‘ of MY ‘The Conclave‘ book.

Right now as I dealt with yesterday, the Vatican is denying — with unnecessary vehemence — that there are no moves afoot, whatsoever, to modify the Conclave protocols. This follows the speculations a few days earlier that ‘Pope Francis‘ planned to changes the rules for ‘General Congregations’ — in the MAIN to preclude the over-80, non-elector cardinals from participating. As I then pointed out, that this change would not be that drastic — though, of course, the over-80s would resent it bitterly.

But, I got thinking about this on my daily 4-mile ambles in the morning.

The only change of SOME CONSEQUENCE to such a change would be that the DEAN, if over 80, will no longer be able to Preside over the General Congregations (GCs) as he has always done — even after the over-80 rulings.

I have often wondered whether this was good or bad. This is one of the anomalies, albeit not that great, in the current set of protocols.

An over-80 Dean presides over GCs (& most other matters that involve the entire College), BUT is NOT permitted to attend the Conclave.

The supposed Francis change (if it holds water) will fix that.

There will be continuity if the Dean is over 80. The same Cardinal Bishop who will Preside over the Conclave will also preside over the GCs. In a way that is good.

The Dean (albeit these days elected for 5-year (renewable) terms) invariably (though no longer as a guarantee) has a ton of experience & expertise in Vatican/Church matters & will know how to get stuff done. In 2013, ‘Angelo Sodano‘, though over-80, played quite role in pre-conclave happenings.

The current Dean, who was the one that EXPERTLY RAN the 2013 Conclave, i.e., ‘Giovanni Battista Re‘, is now 89. So, if the rules are changed he will be sidelines.

But, this is ALL SPECULATION right now.

Plus, I am no longer convinced that we will be seeing a sede vacante anytime soon!

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Vatican Appears To Protest Too Much About Supposed Changes To Papal Election Rules.

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by Anura Guruge
on November 7, 2023

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News‘.

The vehemency of the protests & pushback makes me suspicious.

Why make such a BIG DEAL claiming that no changes are on the way.

The pope has every right to make changes.

When it comes to the 120 Papal Elector limit, he ACTUALLY has an OBLIGATION to fix that.

It is not like anyone is doing anything untoward, unethical, unlawful or even naughty.

Perfectly above board.

So why this insistence on pushing back? That makes me think that something indeed is afoot.

Now to be fair, I WAS VERY CLEAR in my first post, 2-day ago, that this was ALL HEARSAY.

Kind of funny that ‘The Pillar‘ has had to backtrack, drastically, within 48-hours. They need better sources.

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It Would Make A Lot Of Sense For Pope ‘Pope Francis’ To Promulgate A Constitution That Supersedes ‘Universi Dominici Gregis’ (UDG).

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by Anura Guruge
on November 6, 2023

Click to ENLARGE & view here. Page 156 of MY ‘The Conclave‘ book.

UDG came out in 1996 — 27-years ago.

It was UPDATED in 2013 (10-years ago) — by ‘Normas Nonnullas‘ (NN).

Now, rather than making MORE updates, it would behoove Pope Francis to promulgate a brand new, UPDATED & REVISED Apostolic Constitution that reflects today’s realties.

Yes, for a start he could totally eliminate the 120 max cardinal elector proviso. Don’t bother putting a limit — whether it be 135, 150, 175 or 250.

Just state the obvious & most logical. All cardinal electors could & should attend. End of subject. Rome has spoken.

All the updates from NN can & should be included — & maybe even updated.

There are still a few inconsistencies, even with NN, when it comes to sede vacante caused by death vs resignation. Let’s get all of those eliminated once and for all. Resignations will happen in the future.

Francis should make other changes he sees fit. The speculations about changing the rules for ‘General Congregations’ fall into this. It is his prerogative.

That said, in the end it would be curial STAFF who will draw up the final Constitution. It is said that John Paul II was heavily involved, hands-on, with UDG. That might explain why it was not as watertight as it should have been. (I discuss many of the irregularities in ‘The Conclave‘.) This time around Canon Lawyers must do the final draft.

Despite today’s news that he was feeling unwell, Francis has time. The curia might already be working on it.

So, I am ALL in favor of a new Constitution. HOW EXCITING. Smile.

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I Have NO Issues With ‘Pope Francis’ Wanting To Change PRE-Conclave ‘General Congregations’.

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by Anura Guruge
on November 5, 2023

Click to ENLARGE & read here. Link to original at ‘The Pillar‘.

RIGHT NOW, per ‘The Pillar‘, this is still hearsay.

Even if these SUPPOSED ‘General Congregation‘ related changes come to pass, I will NOT take issue with them.

Overall, IF that is all the pope intends to do, these changes are BENIGN & TRIVIAL.

As it is, attending the ‘General Congregations’ is NOT mandatory for the over-80 (i.e., non-elector) cardinals. This just takes it to the logical conclusion.

Yes, you can argue that the over-80s bring EXPERIENCE & expertise to the meetings. But, they DON’T have to attend the formal meetings to impart their wisdom to the under-80s. That is why they have PRATTICHE. {Look it up.}

Also to be fair, by the 6th General ALL of the important & NECESSARY work, i.e., setting up the LOGISTICS & protocols, is done. After that it just becomes a stage for grandstanding. Check what actually happened in the last two instances in my ‘The Conclave‘ book — Appendix A.

So, these two supposed changes to the Generals bother me none.

Yes, the over-80s will be LIVID. They will have to learn to live with it. {Smile}

But, I doubt IF these are the ONLY TWO changes the pope has in mind. {Smile} But, then again, he is old & not thinking that clearly. {Smile}

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