Cardinal Becciu to participate in the next consistory

By Salvatore Cernuzio

Cardinal Angelo Becciu will participate in the Consistory convoked by Pope Francis for the creation of new cardinals and in the discussions in the following days on the reform of the Roman Curia. The news was revealed by the cardinal himself, who in September 2020 renounced the rights of the cardinalate, following a series of legal actions. During a Mass in the Italian town of Golfo Aranci in Sardegna, where he has been vacationing, Cardinal Becciu said he received the invitation to participate from Pope Francis.

Sources in the Holy See have noted that the rights of the cardinalate do not refer to participation in the life of the Church; Christians are called upon to take part in it, according to their state. In the case of cardinals this may include an invitation - sometimes personal - to attend certain meetings reserved for them.

The juridical process

Cardinal Becciu, aged 74, is one of the defendants in a judicial process initiated on 27 July 2020, in the context of events connected to the financial investments of the Secretariat of State in London. The process will resume on 29-30 September, after the summer break, and will continue with seven more hearings scheduled for October. The cardinal is accused of embezzlement and abuse of office, and has always maintained he is “a victim of a plot” against him. During the trial, having taken the stand three times, he has defended himself by speaking of “unfounded accusations.”

The resignation of September 2020

On 24 September 2020, Cardinal Becciu submitted his resignation as Prefect of Congregation for the Causes of Saints to Pope Francis. The cardinal had held the post since 2018, after having served in the role of Substitute of the Secretariat of State. In the same audience with the Pope, Cardinal Becciu, although retaining the title of cardinal, renounced the rights connected to the cardinalate.