Posted on 02/16/2026 2:07:33 PM PST by ebb tide
The appointment of laypeople to positions of authority in the Roman Curia is not a temporary concession, BUT an ecclesiological advance and a "Spirit-led development", “conservative” Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Bishops, wrote on VaticanNews.va (February 16).
Cardinal Ouellet acknowledges the “unease about a papal decision” given that nuns are now in positions reserved to bishops as there is a “close link between the ordained ministry and the function of governing the Church”.
BUT: He has “no doubt” that Pope Francis’ gesture is promising for the future: “It marks the beginning of recognition of the authority of charisms by hierarchical authority.”
Cardinal Ouellet's article devotes a significant amount of words to elaborating on the Holy Spirit’s role beyond sacramental ordination, as if this were not well-known before Francis' novelties.
Key phrase: "When the Pope appoints a woman to head a Dicastery, he is not delegating his jurisdiction to any subject. He is entrusting a person recognised as competent at a certain level of ecclesial experience, by virtue of a charism, with a higher responsibility that remains framed and guaranteed by the Holy Father's overarching jurisdiction over the Roman Curia."
Dear FRiends,
We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.
If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you,
Jim
Ping
It is a contradiction to Jesus Christ’s constitution for the Church. Leadership in the Church is directly linked to the charism of Holy Orders. It is proper for members of the laity to act as advisors, but not to exercise authority outside of religious orders.
The Holy Spirit or the spirit of the age is leading this development?
BUT: He has “no doubt” that Pope Francis’ gesture is promising for the future: “It marks the beginning of recognition of the authority of charisms by hierarchical authority.” In today’s Catholic Church Ebb, I’m not sure I even want to know what is.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.