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Daniel P. HoranJuly 22, 2013

 

In the shadow of attention given to the pope’s travel to Brazil for World Youth Day and the anticipated arrival of a royal baby, few seem to have noticed the news reports about Friday’s announcement of a new Vatican commission that has been established by Pope Francis. This commission has been established to oversee the the financial and organizational reforms within the Vatican. It will have unprecedented authority to examine any document, in print or electronic form, and answer directly to the pope.

Reports from Reuters, Catholic News Service, and Vatican Radio all confirm that this commission – which consists entirely of laity who are experts in law, finance, economics, and organizational matters, and which has a cleric assigned only as secretary to the group – is scheduled to begin work as soon as the Holy Father returns from Brazil.

Vatican Radio published the names and countries of the Pontifical commission’s members:

Dr. Joseph FX Zahra (Malta), President
Msgr. Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda (Secretary of the Prefecture for Economic Affairs), Secretary
Mr Jean-Baptiste de Franssu (France)
Dr. Enrique Llano (Spain)
Dr. Jochen Messemer (Germany)
Ms. Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui (Italy)
Mr. Jean Videlain-Sevestre (France)
Mr. George Yeo (Singapore)

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Vince Killoran
11 years 4 months ago
Not a bad start! I don't mean to be picky but there is only one woman on the board and one non-European.
Jim McCrea
11 years 4 months ago
One would think that there would be adequate representation on this commission from areas of the church in which attendance and growth are superior to the European countries represented so far. Singapore is, I supposed, to be representative of Asia. But Africa? North America? And, to echo Vince Killoran, the respresentation or women is shocking ... at best. I do hope that this commissions makes recommendations for further enhancement of its membership that addresses reprensational inadequacies.
John Marson
11 years 4 months ago
Two things came to mind: (1) that driver is sooo fired, lol!; and (2) isn't anyone bothered by the fact that the Pope is treated as if he were Jesus himself? Is it appropriate that he should be mobbed and fawned over in this manner? It seems rather sacrilegious to me. http://www.carbonated.tv/news/
Allen 2Saint
11 years 4 months ago
He is giving hope to people who live in desperate conditions. It's like reaching out and hugging your grandfather. I hug my priests and nuns all the time.

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