Cardinal Oswald Gracias Appointed to Lead Study on Papal Representatives

Mumbai, September 7, 2024: Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai and representative from Asia on the Council of Cardinals (C9) established by Pope Francis, has been designated as the coordinator for a new study group. This group will evaluate the roles and functions of papal representatives across the global Church.

The study group is tasked with reviewing the operations of nunciatures and other Holy See bodies worldwide to enhance their missionary and synodal effectiveness. It will include officials from the Secretariat of State, the Dicastery for Bishops, and the Dicastery for Evangelisation.

This examination is part of one of the ten specific issues identified by Pope Francis after the initial Synodal Assembly held in October 2023.

The forthcoming Synod session, scheduled from October 2 to 27, will not delve into these topics in detail but will provide a brief overview of each group's work plans. The final reports are expected to be submitted to the Pope by June 2025.

In addition to Cardinal Gracias, the study group includes Cardinal Mario Grech, who heads the Secretariat of the Synod; Archbishop Luciano Russo, Secretary of the Pontifical Representatives; and Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, responsible for training the Holy See’s diplomatic staff. The group has commenced its work with several meetings in Rome, engaging with officials from the Secretariat of State and bishops’ conference leaders from around the world.

Courtesy: AsiaNews