What kind of difficulties did you encounter on the long road to reforming the Roman Curia as coordinator of the group of cardinals that carried it out?
The first task we faced at the beginning was to find a suitable methodology. It was a not a little ambitious goal. It was not simply a matter of reforming a document (of the apostolic constitution then in force, the Shepherd Bonus) but of many other subjects. Little by little we were getting in tune with the synodal methodology. There was a long path of listening that included various actors: the episcopal conferences; cardinals from all over the world; bishops and staff who had been in the Roman Curia for years. The first mission entrusted to us was the reform of the field of the economy. There we ran into one of the first problems that arose, because the economy was in real disarray and we had to sink our teeth into it. The result of this work was the creation of a strengthened Ministry of Finance, which today is the Ministry of Economy. We also had to review the famous IOR (Vatican Bank), which had a number of problems. Then we embarked on the reform of the different branches of social communication. The Constitution Praedicate Evangelium It emerged little by little along the way.
It has been nine years of work, what have been the most difficult resistances to overcome? I imagine that the discernment process has also led to some discussions.
Whenever it is something new, natural resistance to change arises. Unconsciously, we men carry intrinsically the tendency to safer. In Italian there is a saying, chi sta bene non si muove (who is fine, does not move). That is something natural. Another point of conflict has been combining the new ideas that were emerging (for example, from the preamble) with the rigidity of the canons of Canon Law. Thank God it is discussed in the atmosphere of Christian charity, and without major problems. Of course, this does not mean that we all think the same way.
Did you ever feel like you weren’t going to make it?
At no time do we allow ourselves to be overcome by discouragement. We always work starting from the celebration of the Eucharist and from prayer. In addition, the constant presence of the Holy Father encouraged us to move forward. Having the support of the Pope has been fundamental: he never backs down, even if he finds a wall of opposition in front of him. He has a very great faith.
There have been big changes, such as the creation of the Ministry of Economy and the revision of the famous IOR. Can we ensure that the Vatican economy will be out of scandal from now on?
I think without a doubt these changes are one of the great achievements. It has been a process that has been forged step by step, but always without looking back. And there are the results. Transparency and accountability are the cardinal points that guide the economy. Today we can say that the economy is doing well, in accordance with the regulations of the European Union and Moneyval. In addition, the staff working in these areas is better trained and has a more professional profile. Of course, human beings are always fragile, but with community work and not self-referential, the best administration is facilitated and irregularities are avoided.
The Pope has summoned all the cardinals at the end of August to discuss Praedicate Evangelium and the implications of the reform of the Curia, so that everyone can make it their own. Why is this so important?
This is precisely one of the principles of the reform of the new apostolic constitution. The Roman Curia is also at the service of the episcopal conferences and, for this reason, it is essential that we all know the new constitution by heart, not only to read it and put it aside, but also to put it into practice in the diocesan curiae. In the last consistories we only met for the liturgical and celebratory part. Instead, we will now have two days for discussion. The foundations have been laid for a new path, also a new spirituality in the universal Church.
What part of the reform do you think is the most difficult for the College of Cardinals to integrate and accept?
I think that one of the most difficult issues to understand is accepting that the Church is not only the hierarchy and the power to govern or lead. The Pope has already expressed this clearly, both in words and deeds. In fact, lay people (women and men) can now also be prefects of dicasteries; that is, they can make decisions. There is no compelling reason to think that the dicasteries have to be led by cardinals by force. In any case, the College of Cardinals has the function of advising the Pope in the government of the universal Church and electing a new Pontiff in a possible conclave. This does not change. On the other hand, it is not that now it is forbidden for a cardinal to be prefect of a dicastery. But little by little we are entering into the synodal spirit.
Many have spoken of the end of Francis’ pontificate at this time.
I think they are wrong. They are optical illusions and even the Pope has said so. Some are hoping he would resign since Francis served five years as pontiff. This is an unconscious rejection that does not find a way to express itself. Who guides the Church is Divine Providence and gives us the Pope that God wants.
Is the reform going to depend on the will of the bishops in power or is its implementation in the universal Church shielded?
Those of us who have faith know what obedience means and the constitution has already been promulgated. There is no turning back. The bishop is not the owner of doing what he wants, especially in the discipline of the universal Catholic Church.
And within the walls of the Vatican, can the cardinals hinder the implementation of the reform?
No I dont think so. Now the criterion is not power, but service. It is a matter of identifying that the vocation of a cardinal is to be an adviser to a Pope and his elector, and not the head of a dicastery.
Other major problems in the Vatican, legacy of the Italian system, are excessive bureaucratization and lack of professional profiles. Has this already changed?
It is gradually changing, and it must continue on this path. There are things that come from afar and need time until they are perfected. The constitution has already entered into force, but the changes are not carried out overnight.
Are we going to see a real protagonism of the laity and women in the Curia or is it only nominal?
This is already beginning to be seen and will also continue. I am convinced that in the gearbox of the Holy Spirit there is no reverse gear. For example, before there was no dicastery for the laity, the laity being the majority in the Catholic Church. It was a bit contradictory. In this pontificate alone, the number of women already in the Roman Curia has increased by 17%; It is not just a façade, there are many women in positions where decisions are made, for example, in the department dedicated to the economy. They are highly capable people.
If you had to describe the Church you dream of, what would it be like?
A Church that goes forward with the joy of the Gospel, with the joy of love, holiness and care for our common home. A Church that parks clericalism and in which we are all really brothers.