PANAJI
Pope Francis has re-nominated Cardinal Oswald Gracias, a prelate of Goan origin and Archbishop of Bombay, to the Council of Cardinals advising the Holy Father for the reform of the Roman Curia and governance of the Universal Church. This was announced by the Vatican Office on October 15, 2020.
According to the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), Cardinal Gracias has also been re-nominated by the Holy Father as member of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, the highest body in the Church on matters regarding Canon Law.
This body suggests amendments and other changes in Canon Law to the Holy Father and is entrusted with the responsibility of giving authentic interpretations on the Code of Canon Law, stated the CCBI.
As Africa was unrepresented after Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya departed from the Council due to the political situation in his country, the new Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, has been appointed to replace him.
Archbishop Ferrao hails renomination
President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao has hailed the renomination of Cardinal Oswald Gracias by Pope Francis to the Council of Cardinals.
“We are overjoyed to know that His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias has been renominated by Pope Francis to the Council of Cardinals, a body of seven close Advisors to the Pope on the governance of the Universal Church, as well as to the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, the highest body in the Church on matters regarding the Canon Law,” said Archbishop Ferrao.
“In the name of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, of this Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and on my behalf, I would like to convey to His Eminence our profound joy and hearty congratulations on this renewed honour bestowed on him.”
“We are legitimately proud of Cardinal Oswald and we invoke God's abundant blessings upon him as he carries out such challenging and heavy responsibilities at the service of the Church in India and the Church Universal,” Archbishop Ferrao added.
