G-9 meeting: Decentralization and the new dicasteries
(Vatican Radio) The latest meeting of the Council of Cardinals, Pope Francis’ closest advisers, ended on Tuesday. During their meetings, the cardinals discussed the theme of ‘synodality’ and Pope Francis’ call at last year’s Synod of Bishops for the Church to move towards “a healthy decentralization.” The other main item on the agenda was a discussion and approval of the cardinals’ final proposals concerning the two new dicasteries that are being set up within the Roman Curia.
Pope appoints American Msgr Peter Wells as Nuncio of South Africa, Botswana
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has appointed American Monsignor Peter Bryan Wells, currently Assessor for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, as the Holy See’s new Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa and Botswana. The Holy Father has at the same time elevated Msgr. Wells to the titular see of Marcianopolis, with the dignity of archbishop.
Pope Francis to open Lenten pastoral effort on social media
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is the inaugural contributor to a Lenten pastoral effort of the Prelature of the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii. “Keep Lent” is an initiative of the Prelature’s youth ministry office, which reports several thousand subscribers already from throughout all of Italy and from around the world, including the United States.
Parish priest from El Paso: 'Migrants are not a burden'
(Vatican Radio) Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas serves as parish priest at St Marks’ in El Paso Texas. Living right across the border from Ciudad Juarez, like many others in his diocese, he's involved in the pastoral ministry to migrants. A ministry which goes beyond the physical needs of those who reach El Paso: “ We try to be a family for them while they’re separated from their loved ones, we also celebrate with them most of our cultural traditions, it’s a very rewarding ministry...”
