Posted on 08/28/2014 1:29:06 PM PDT by NYer
The Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, Antonio Card. Cañizares Llovera, has been transferred to Spain at the new Archbishop of Valencia.
He will fill the vacancy left with the transfer of Archbishop Carlos Osoro Sierra to Madrid.
Thus, rumors that have been going around have been confirmed.
What we don’t know yet is who will replace Card. Cañizares Llovera at CDW. Cañizares Llovera was known to be in line with the vision of Benedict XVI. At one point his nickname was “Ratzingerino”. His term at CDW was a bit of a mixed bag. I suspect that his successor won’t be so closely aligned with Benedict. But who knows? Francis could surprise us all. I would not weep to see Card. Burke go to Divine Worship, though I wouldn’t put money on it.
What we also don’t know is whether or not this signals that other rumors going about will turn out to be true. In the case of a couple rumors, I really hope not.
Will there be changes to other major dicasteries now? It is not easy to shift Cardinals around. They have to go someplace that calls for Cardinal, such as a major see or important Vatican office. Berlin is open, which makes me wonder about CDF. However, if I am not mistaken the chapter in Berlin has a lot to say about the appointment of their archbishop. I suspect that, given the present theological climate in Germany, they won’t prefer a man with any hint of conservatism. Card. Amato, at Saints, is now 76. Another change could take place there. Saints might be a more likely place than CDW for Card. Burke… if Francis wants to move Card. Burke that is. It would surprise me to the tips of my fingers were Francis to open up a See in these USA by bringing to Rome some Cardinal Archbishop or other and then fill the spot with Card. Burke. I suppose we can daydream about what would happen were Card. Wuerl to be brought to Rome (as one rumor has it) and Card. Burke be sent to Washington DC. That might give new vitality to Can. 915. Also, Chicago will one day need a successor to Card. George, who is now 76 and in poor health. Do say a prayer for him today.
Curial officials are trickling back to Rome, after the summer break. It could be that in the next few days we will see some more moves and maybe even more restructuring of curial offices.
Big news story on the traditional blogs, ping!
Cdl Cañizares is pretty traditional and while he’s not super-popular among a lot of Spanish conservatives (I think mostly for personal reasons), they’re all reasonably content. Osoro is the former bishop of Valencia, and is being sent to Madrid to try to keep up the good work that Cdl. Rouco started. He’s pretty conservative, very much into supporting the family, and I think will do well in Madrid.
Neither one of them is very young, however, so they’ll only have a few years. I guess this is a strategy?
Will have to follow Father Z as the curial members start coming back.
Who’s next?
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