Sunday, April 13, 2008

Archbishop Ranjith To Leave Vatican?

From Inside the Vatican:
In Rome in recent days there has been much speculation that Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, one of the more "tradition-minded" prelates in the Vatican curia, may soon leave Rome to serve in his native Sri Lanka.

Ranjith, who serves now as the Secretary in the Congregation for Divine Worship, under the Prefect, Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, has made enemies in "progressive" circles because he has taken "conservative" stands.

Against much opposition, he has supported a widespread return of the Tridentine Mass -- something many in the Vatican oppose -- and he has suggested that some practices, like Communion in the hand and standing for Holy Communion, should be ended.

It is important to note, however, as Ranjith has advised Inside the Vatican in a personal conversation, that the government of Sri Lanka holds Ranjith in very high regard, and has asked Rome to consider transferring Ranjith back to his country to help bring peace in the country's long-simmering civil war.

So there may be factors not mentioned in the article below which could lead the Pope to agree to transfer Ranjith. We will learn more about Ranjith's future -- and the fate of the liturgical reform Pope Benedict has desired and Ranjith has toiled to defend -- in coming weeks, after the April 15-20 trip to the United States.

Here follows a posting from the interesting Rorate caeli web site, containing a translation of a recent Italian magazine article on the Ranjith matter. - The Editor

More here at Rorate Caeli

No comments: