Two lay people involved in Vatileaks scandal: Cardinals want their names

It is interesting that the Vatican made the American Cardinals cease talking openly at press conferences because of "leaks" in Italian newspapers. Today, papers like La Stampa (the English version is the Vatican Insider) continue to report on what happened during the Cardinals' supposedly confidential meeting, who said what, etc. Either the building is bugged or other, presumably Italian, Cardinals are revealing details to the Italian papers that satisfy some agenda. Can't help but think that the American ideal of openness with the press is preferable.

Andrea Tornielli
Vatican Insider
March 7, 2013

In a speech given during yesterday's General Congregation, a foreign cardinal asked for some information on two individuals who are allegedly mentioned in the Vatileaks scandal dossier prepared by the three-man investigation commission . But the Camerlengo, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Sodano, sent an internal communiqué urging those present not to “name names” if they are not “certain”, as they could risk fomenting a climate of suspicion and resentment.

Italian newspaper La Stampa has learnt that the two individuals referred to yesterday were not members of the clergy but laymen. One of them does not work in the Holy See but has had frequent contact and collaborated to a high level with Holy See institutions. The other is a Vatican employee. The foreign cardinal's frank request indicated that although the Vatileaks case is not the focal point of discussions ahead of the Conclave, many are keen to learn more about the contents of the dossier that will end up in the hands of the new Pope.

“The Church in today's world and the requirements of the new Evangelisation,” the reform of the Curia and “relations between the Holy See, the dicasteries and the Episcopates” and the profile of the new Pope are the big topics discussed during the fourth General Congregation yesterday. The meeting was attended by 153 cardinals, 113 of whom will be entering the Sistine Chapel to elect Ratzinger's successor. The Prefect of Propaganda Fide, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, gave a presentation of his dicastery, illustrating figures and other data about missionary lands. The Prefect of the Clergy, Mauro Piacenza also gave a speech about the priesthood and vocations. Meanwhile, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, who is over 80 and therefore not eligible to vote in the Conclave, traced an outline of the future Pope's profile. In tune with what other cardinals said in their speeches over the past few days, the former Vicar of Rome suggested electing a “dynamic” Pope who is young enough to adequately deal with the challenges currently faced by the Church.

Two influential members of the Curia gave speeches, in which they gave different perspectives on the unprecedented question of the “Pope Emeritus” title. Never in the history of the Catholic Church did a Pope resign due to old age so no one ever had to ask the question of what title he should be given. The issue was also addressed by the Prefect of the Congregation Marc Ouellet, a papabile and the American Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, Raymond Leo Burke.

Yesterday morning, it was also the Archbishop of Milan, Angelo Scola's turn to speak. He spoke about the nature of the Church and apologised for exceeding the five minute time limit. It was established during a previous meeting that once the five minutes were up, the speaker would be warned and asked to conclude.

“Today again we have heard some general speeches given off the cuff. It really feels like we are in a Synod. And I would like to point out that this remark is not a positive one.” This is how an important European cardinal summarised the third day of pre-Conclave meetings. The impression is that cardinals are not really cutting to the chase. All Curia members are doing is presenting their activities of their dicastery, hardly any speeches refer directly back to what was said in previous speeches. “We need time to get to know each other, to talk more and to establish what the main needs of today's Church are. And in order to find the right man who can address these needs,” the cardinal noted: “It makes me shudder to think about the task that lies ahead of us next week. I don't think we are ready yet.”