In a speech given during Wednesday's General Congregation, a foreign cardinal asked for some information on two individuals who are allegedly mentioned in the Vatileaks scandal dossier prepared by the three-man investigation commission, reports Vatican Insider.
But the Camerlengo, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Sodano, sent an internal communiqué urging those present not to “name names” if they are not “certain”, as they could risk fomenting a climate of suspicion and resentment.
Italian newspaper La Stampa has learnt that the two individuals in question were not members of the clergy but laymen. One of them does not work in the Holy See but has had frequent contact and collaborated to a high level with Holy See institutions. The other is a Vatican employee.
The foreign cardinal's frank request indicated that although the Vatileaks case is not the focal point of discussions ahead of the Conclave, many are keen to learn more about the contents of the dossier that will end up in the hands of the new Pope.
“The Church in today's world and the requirements of the new Evangelisation,” the reform of the Curia and “relations between the Holy See, the dicasteries and the Episcopates” and the profile of the new Pope were the big topics discussed during the fourth General Congregation on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by 153 cardinals, 113 of whom will be entering the Sistine Chapel to elect Ratzinger's successor.
FULL COVERAGE Cardinals wants names of two lay people involved in Vatileaks scandal (Vatican Insider)