New Dean of the College of Cardinals
May 02, 2005
The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, is the new dean of the cardinal's college, the "job" covered by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger before the conclave in which he was elected pope.
(AGI) - Vatican, April 30 2005 - Today Benedict XVI approved of his election, which took place a few days ago. At the same time, Cardinal Roger Etchagaray will take Sodano's prior place as deputy-dean.
The appointment to dean was made by the cardinals of the order of bishops. For the cardinal from Astigiano it is an important new recognition from the Roman Curia which amounts to the recent nomination as secretary of state.
One of Benedict XVI's first acts as pope was to confirm all the heads of ministries that Pope John Paul II had chosen. Only Sodana was a new nomination.
As for the new deputy-dean, the Frenchman Roger Etchegaray, president emeritus of the papal council of justice and peace and of the papal "Cor Unum" council, he is a cardinal who is no longer appointed, given he is over 80 years old. Consequently, in any future conclave, his mission will have to be carried out by a third cardinal of the order of bishops in order of seniority. This will fall to the Colombian, Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, chairman of the papal council for families.
New Dean of the College of Cardinals