Louis Epstein On The State Of Lawlessness

Refers to today’s post on the unmentionable. The announcement he refers to is the Vatican Information Service (VIS) ‘Other Pontifical Acts‘ IMAGE (with white background) that appears towards the end. The AP article is the link at the very end.

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Louis Epstein:

I knew you’d be jumping for joy over the Basilica of St. Mary Major becoming a Law-less place.

Since you reproduce the whole announcement, it’s worth noting that Bishop Pop of the Romanian Church becomes the world’s youngest bishop. (Younger than B XVI by more than any bishop ever appointed by JP II was younger than JP II).

The new Archpriest might be thought to take his place behind those who have been waiting longer for red hats in appropriate positions, or be allowed to move ahead because of his age … he retains the position of Vice-Camerlengo which is as a rule NOT held by a Cardinal, though his predecessor Cardinal Sardi did not give it up until January after being elevated in November 2010. During the next conclave, the Vice-Camerlengo will be administering the temporal affairs of the Church while the Camerlengo is locked away, just as the Vicegerent (if that vacancy were filled) will adminster the Diocese of Rome while the Cardinal Vicar-General is locked away. There is no retirement age for the Vice-Camerlengo, and Ettore Cunial (coincidentally a former Vicegerent) retired as Vice-Camerlengo only the month before his 99th birthday.

Nicole Winfield’s AP article, which you link to, errs in saying Cardinal Law retains his dicastery memberships after his 80th birthday,unless canon law has changed. I’ll drop her a line.

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Louis’ interaction with AP:

Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:47:47 -0000

From: “Winfield, Nicole”

To: Louis Epstein

Subject: RE: Cardinal Law’s Retirement

Dear Mr. Epstein,

Thanks for your note.

That paragraph was based on incorrect information provided by the Vatican press office. It was removed in a subsequent update to the story.

Thanks,

Nicole

Nicole Winfield
Correspondent
Associated Press
Piazza Grazioli 5
00186 Rome, Italy
_______________________________

 From: Louis Epstein

Sent: Mon 11/21/2011 8:14 PM

To: Winfield, Nicole

Subject: Cardinal Law’s Retirement

What’s your source on Cardinal Law retaining his dicastery memberships?

Pope Paul VI’s decree instituting retirement at age 80 also provided that Curial appointments automatically lapsed on a Cardinal’s 80th birthday unless the Pope explicitly extended them,regardless of whatever other office he might retain…has this changed?