Vatican's quick congregation criticized by Cardinal Zen
Cardinal Joseph Zen from Hong Kong conveyed his dissatisfaction with the Vatican's decision to convene a congregation the day after the death of Pope Francis. He highlighted the difficulties cardinals from distant countries would encounter in trying to reach Rome in time.
What do you need to know?
- Cardinal Joseph Zen from Hong Kong criticised the Vatican for quickly convening the general congregation the day after Pope Francis's death.
- The congregation is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 08:00 AM GMT, which presents challenges for cardinals from distant regions, such as the Americas or Africa, to arrive on time.
- Pope Francis died on Monday at 6:35 AM GMT at the age of 88 due to a stroke and cardiac collapse.
Critical voice from Hong Kong
Cardinal Joseph Zen from Hong Kong expressed his dissatisfaction with the Vatican's decision to convene the first general congregation on Tuesday, the day after Pope Francis's death.
Zen emphasised that cardinals from distant countries might find it difficult to reach Rome in such a short time. "Cardinal Zen would like to know why the first session of the General Congregations has to start so early," the retired bishop of Hong Kong wrote in a statement posted on social media.
"How are the old men from the peripheries supposed to arrive on time? There is the kind word reminding them that they do not have the duty to attend, but they have the right - yes or no?" asks 93-year-old Cardinal Zen.
The cardinal referred to a letter from Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re sent on Monday, urging cardinals to come to Rome for the congregation already set for Tuesday at 08:00 AM GMT. Congregations are meetings of cardinals held prior to the conclave. During these meetings, decisions regarding the next steps are made.
Clergy from outside Europe excluded?
The decision to convene the congregation swiftly has caused disappointment among cardinals from abroad, to whom Pope Francis paid special attention during his pontificate.
The Silere Non Possum portal notes that clergy from both the Americas and Africa may not make it on time, raising questions about the possibility of full participation in decisions related to the transfer of the body and the date of the funeral. In the past, after Benedict XVI's resignation, congregations began only after a few days.
Pope Francis died on Monday at 6:35 AM GMT at the age of 88, the cause of death was a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiac collapse.
