As we first mentioned here, more than one month ago, March 23 has been a very important day for Catholics attached to the Traditional form of the Roman Rite. At the time, we knew there would be a meeting on March 23, but not exactly that it would include all members of the College of Cardinals (the consistory predicted by most analysts would only be announced a few days later).
The report in the Bollettino, which at first had been very brief, but has now been updated, says it all. After being addressed by the Dean of the College (see order of the meeting here), the Holy Father introduced three key subjects to be presented to the College:
- (1)"the condition of the emeritus bishops", "introduced by Cardinal Re";
- (2)"the Question of Abp. Lefebvre and of the liturgical reform willed by the Second Vatican Council" and "the followers of Archbishop Lefebvre", "introduced by Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos";
- (3)"the questions related to the dialogue between the Church and Islam."
"20 cardinals intervened [in the discussions] after" the first two topics, discussed in the morning meeting. An afternoon meeting, which is taking place right now, will include introductions by Cardinal Arinze (probably on the Islamic issues) and Cardinal Sodano.
Update (10 PM GMT): First comments from the morning discussion on "the question of Archbishop Lefebvre" (from La Tribune):
Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for the Unity of Christians indicated that the essential [discussion] of the morning had been dedicated to the question of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, schismatic branch founded by Abp Lefebvre.
"The meeting was very fraternal and calm," he commented. "The pope wished to hear what others had to say. There were different opinions. It would have been strange if that had not been the case."
...
"The Holy Father spoke, but specially left the Cardinals speak what they wished," remarked American cardinal Edward Egan, defining the meeting as "useful".
