Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx is no longer a member of Pope Francis’ most important advisory council. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich is new in the flesh, the Vatican announced on Tuesday. He is also Chairman of the Committee of Bishops’ Conferences in the European Community. In 2018, Marks also inherited from this position. It also plays a major role in the process of the Pope’s Synod, the so-called Universal Synod of Bishops.
Munich Archbishop and Freising spokesman Bernard Kellner told the Catholic News Agency (KUNA) that Marx was a member of the group for two terms. These office terms are now over. He did not comment further.
Several new members of the Council of Cardinals
In addition to Hollerich, Francis appointed Cardinals Juan José Umila Umila of Barcelona, Gerald Lacroix of Quebec, and Sergio da Rocha of Salvador, Brazil. Another new addition is Vatican Prime Minister Fernando Vergés Alzaga. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Sean Patrick O’Malley from Boston, US, Oswald Gracias from Bombay, and Fridolin Ambongo Bisongo from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will remain part of the advisory body.
The body appointed immediately after the election of Pope Francis
Francis first appointed the Council of Cardinals, which now includes nine members and one secretary, immediately after his election in 2013. The body should advise him on the reform of the Curia, that is, the restructuring of the Vatican administration and administrative powers.
The group’s previous coordinator was Honduran Archbishop Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, 80, who resigned as Archbishop of Tegucigalpa earlier this year for age reasons. The pope has now reorganized the body after his term ends, according to the Vatican.
With materials from KNA
