Brussels, 24 November 2016
Antoine Renard, FAFCE’s President, travelled to Rome to meet recently elected Cardinal Farrell, Prefect of the new Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. He could present work done by FAFCE and discuss the challenges and the opportunities for European families. On Saturday 19 November, Mr Renard also attended the public consistory in which Pope Francis created Cardinal Kevin Farrell in St. Peter Basilica in the Vatican. Card. Farrell is now leading the new Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, which resulted from the merging of the Pontifical Councils for the Laity and for the Family and started functioning on September 1st, instituted by the Motu Proprio “Sedula Mater”of Pope Francis.
This Dicastery “is competent in matters that pertain to the Apostolic See regarding the promotion of life, the apostolate of the lay faithful, the pastoral care of the family and its mission according to God’s plan and for the safeguard and support of human life” (Art. 1 of the Statutes). Namely, regarding the work of FAFCE, the new Dicastery will have a section on the Family entirely devoted to follow “the work of the institutions, associations, movements, and other national and international Catholic organizations whose mission is to serve the good of the family” (Art. 8.3 of the Statutes).
Mr. Renard had a first meeting with Cardinal Farrell on 10 November, when he could express FAFCE’s support for his work and availability to cooperate with the Dicastery. The President also presented the work done by FAFCE and its Members across Europe.
On 19 November, Mr. Renard met again Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in the traditional courtesy visit to new cardinals, open to everyone, after the Ordinary Consistory where he was created Cardinal.
