New Delhi (CBCI News): Cardinal Oswald Gracias, The President of CBCI is among eight high-ranking cardinals who were on Saturday appointed by Pope Francis to an advisory council to look into ways of reforming the Vatican Curia. The council will help the Pope revise the Apostolic Constitution “Patstor Bonus” promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1988 and Church administration which helps him in daily governance, the Vatican said in a statement.
Cardinal Gracias, 68, is Archbishop of Bombay (Mumbai), having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. He was raised to the cardinalate in 2007.
In Mumbai, there was elation at the gathering of priests at Holy Name Cathedral for a special function to mark the ordination of permanent deacons when the news broke on Saturday evening. A loud round of applause went up as Cardinal Gracias walked down the aisle and blessed the assembly.
"The secretary of state, who is the second in command, called me last Sunday to seek my consent for the appointment. This means that the Pope is looking to set up a different style of governance and reorganize the universal Church. Of course, it is a good sign that India is being taken seriously and that our feedback is being sought. When I was in Rome recently, I said India should be taken seriously and it is nice to see it happening," Cardinal Gracias told.
"The CBCI Secretariat rejoices over the news that Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the CBCI President is one of the eight Cardinals, chosen world-wide by the Pope to advise the Holy Father to reorganize and revamp the Vatican Curia. While we congratulate His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias for this rare honour conferred on him by the Supreme Pontiff, we assure him of our continued prayers for the successful discharge of this great responsibility entrusted to him", said Fr. Joseph Chinnayyan, Deputy Secretary General, Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, CBCI.
Cardinal Gracias was born in Mumbai and studied philosophy and theology in St Xavier's College after completed his schooling at St Michael's School in Mahim. He was ordained to priesthood in 1970. He attended the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome from 1976 to 1982. He obtained a doctorate in canon law and a diploma in jurisprudence.
Cardinal Gracias was among the 115 cardinals who participated in the recent election of Pope Francis. Like all cardinals, he is a member of various offices of the Roman Curia and attends their plenary meetings every year.
Besides him, the Pope's advisory group has cardinals from several countries including the US, Chile, Germany, Australia, Congo and Honduras. The first meeting of the Council will take place on October 1-3.