The Council of Cardinals is a group of nine cardinals who are called to support the Holy Father in the government of the universal Church and to assist him with reflection and discernment on the topics he proposes. After prayer and reflection, Cardinal Lacroix has accepted this new responsibility in the Church.
In an interview with the media following his appointment, Cardinal Lacroix said: “The Holy Father knows that I am a native of Quebec, that I lived for ten years in the United States, nine years in Latin America […] probably that is one of the reasons [to explain his choice]. Secondly, we get along well, we work well together.”
On a more personal note, after a day of interviews following his appointment, Cardinal Lacroix addressed these simple words to the members of the Pius X Secular Institute: “I am touched and moved by this manifestation of confidence on the part of the Holy Father in appointing me to the Council of Cardinals. A great responsibility that I want to assume with generosity and humility. Please pray for me.”
While continuing to serve the Church as Archbishop of Quebec, Cardinal Lacroix also works in various dicasteries in Rome. But as he recalled on his Twitter account: “My first responsibility remains the Archdiocese of Quebec. It is my family, I want to serve it well.”
The entire Pius X Secular Institute is honored by this new appointment. Without a doubt, the presence of a member of a secular institute within the Council of Cardinals will also allow a greater visibility to the secular consecrated vocation.
Congratulations, dear Cardinal, for your faithful and generous yes to the Church’s call. May the Spirit always be with us so that as we may “walk together” in the footsteps of Christ we may “renew all things in Christ”.
Photo: Photo Dachowski