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| The Curia has offices along the Via della Conciliatione and inside Vatican City. |
I think we have Benedict XVI to thank for this inspired decision. In the last months of Benedict’s reign, he initiated an investigation into some of the darker workings of the curia. Brought on by his valet’s thieving ways, Benedict faced the curial mess by calling for an investigation of the ancient workings of the Vatican bureaucracy. He wanted a thorough report and just before he retired, he got it.
The report has not been released, in fact, Benedict left it to Pope Francis as a secret document. The cardinals were aware of the investigation and some of the results when they began meeting just before the conclave. It was clear that the new pope would have to face the issues brought up in the expose.
In forming a new council of eight cardinals, including Sean O’Malley of Boston, Pope Francis has taken the first big step in reforming the curia. Now let’s see whether he will be able to break the power of some of the powerful men who have wrangled their way into authority positions.
The Church is tainted with the stain of original sin. The dust of centuries has settled on her garments.
We Catholics are ready for some of the curial nonsense to go away. Pope Francis may just be the leader to do it.
It’s spring. These days at the Vatican, a little sunshine is entering the old places as Francis, the gardener, plants some seeds of hope for the Church in the twenty-first century.
You and I could use some seeds of hope thses days.