Cardinal on Curia- "There are reforms which are necessary".
The Spanish Cardinal Lluís Martínez Sistach has been in Rome for four day and on Thursday the Archbishop of Barcelona took personal leave of the Pope. Our correspondent Julius Müller-Meiningen with the Catalan prelate.
BZ:
What is your assessment of the recently concluded pontificate?
Martínez Sistach:
I know the Pope Emeritus well and admire him for his generosity, his consistency and foresight.
Aside from its great intellectual and spiritual power, he has not avoided even difficult questions.
I think of his efforts to investigate abuse cases and an attempt to bring more transparency in the finances of the Vatican.
BZ:
What will remain of Benedict's work?
Martínez Sistach:
His core message was that the reason is enriched by faith. His fight against relativism was very important. In society, it often seems as if everything is good and right. But the world has lost its bearings, it lack a compass.
BZ:
What are the challenges for the Church?
Martínez Sistach:
The most important point is evangelization, thus spreading the message of Jesus Christ in the world. For this, reforms are needed, both in personnel and in the Curia.
The church consists of many cultures.
There are a few small specific groups, but the church should rediscover its unity.
The Curia must also do their part in reform.
BZ:
Next week, the deliberations of the cardinals begin before the conclave. What exactly happens there?
Martínez Sistach:
We will first talk about the issues raised by Benedict and the challenges facing the world church today. Only in a second step, it will be important to find a person who can answer these questions best.
But first we must get to know other Cardinals better.
We do not know each other at all.
Eventually the first names are mentioned, you keep your ears open, suggest a name yourself. Thus, the first trends are emerging.
BZ:
What happens when your name is mentioned as a possible successor?
Martínez Sistach:
I do not think about this really.
BZ:
Who are the candidates?
Martínez Sistach:
I rather keep that to myself.
BZ:
What characteristics should the new Pope have?
Martínez Sistach:
He must be a man of faith and be equal to the task. He has to know the world as well as the church. And he needs the skills of a shepherd as well as the head of government.
BZ:
Is the personal profile or the origin of the candidates is important?
Martínez Sistach:
The personal profile. Only if two or three candidates have emerged, the origin also plays a role.
BZ:
You will participate in a conclave for the first time. How do you imagine this?
Martínez Sistach:
I have seen the procession of cardinals so far only in movies. I never thought that I will be there as well. This is sure to be very exciting, we have a great responsibility.
At the thought of taking my oath of allegiance before the fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo, I will feel very faint. And if I'm going to go to the altar to give my vote, my hand will surely shake.
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BZ:
What is your assessment of the recently concluded pontificate?
Martínez Sistach:
I know the Pope Emeritus well and admire him for his generosity, his consistency and foresight.
Aside from its great intellectual and spiritual power, he has not avoided even difficult questions.
I think of his efforts to investigate abuse cases and an attempt to bring more transparency in the finances of the Vatican.
BZ:
What will remain of Benedict's work?
Martínez Sistach:
His core message was that the reason is enriched by faith. His fight against relativism was very important. In society, it often seems as if everything is good and right. But the world has lost its bearings, it lack a compass.
BZ:
What are the challenges for the Church?
Martínez Sistach:
The most important point is evangelization, thus spreading the message of Jesus Christ in the world. For this, reforms are needed, both in personnel and in the Curia.
The church consists of many cultures.
There are a few small specific groups, but the church should rediscover its unity.
The Curia must also do their part in reform.
BZ:
Next week, the deliberations of the cardinals begin before the conclave. What exactly happens there?
Martínez Sistach:
We will first talk about the issues raised by Benedict and the challenges facing the world church today. Only in a second step, it will be important to find a person who can answer these questions best.
But first we must get to know other Cardinals better.
We do not know each other at all.
Eventually the first names are mentioned, you keep your ears open, suggest a name yourself. Thus, the first trends are emerging.
BZ:
What happens when your name is mentioned as a possible successor?
Martínez Sistach:
I do not think about this really.
BZ:
Who are the candidates?
Martínez Sistach:
I rather keep that to myself.
BZ:
What characteristics should the new Pope have?
Martínez Sistach:
He must be a man of faith and be equal to the task. He has to know the world as well as the church. And he needs the skills of a shepherd as well as the head of government.
BZ:
Is the personal profile or the origin of the candidates is important?
Martínez Sistach:
The personal profile. Only if two or three candidates have emerged, the origin also plays a role.
BZ:
You will participate in a conclave for the first time. How do you imagine this?
Martínez Sistach:
I have seen the procession of cardinals so far only in movies. I never thought that I will be there as well. This is sure to be very exciting, we have a great responsibility.
At the thought of taking my oath of allegiance before the fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo, I will feel very faint. And if I'm going to go to the altar to give my vote, my hand will surely shake.
Source
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