Thursday, October 05, 2006

A change in how ad-limina visits are happening ...

... most encouraging. Rocco has the goods:
First is a different attitude from the curia people; while most of the dicastery presentations in the last pontificate (Cardinal Ratzinger's CDF being the notable exception) veered toward the cathedratic style of "We talk, you listen," the bishops are now finding the Roman approach as "How can we best be of service to you?"

The other sea-change is that, when the bishops go upstairs for their individual audiences with the Pope, "There's no map-pointing anymore" -- shorthand that Benedict knows where the diocese is and has done his prepwork, including a thorough reading of the bulky Quinquennial Reports. While they've also been touched by the pontiff's relaxed graciousness as a host, the Teutonic regimentation is never far off; however enjoyable the conversation, the Pope knows when the 15 minutes are up.

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