Arrangements for the Salesians after Rector Major Becomes Cardinal

Arrangements for the Salesians after the Rector Major’s Appointment as Cardinal

Following the Holy Father's choice of Fr. Angel Fernandez to become a cardinal, at least some Salesians speculated whether he'd continue as Rector Major.  Your humble blogger suggested, if a diocesan bishop continues to govern his diocese after becoming a cardinal, why couldn't Fr. Angel do likewise?  But Pope Francis has something else in mind.

(ANS – Rome – July 14, 2023) – Following the unexpected announcement by Pope Francis of the appointment of the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation as cardinal, Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime has written a letter to Salesians and the Salesian Family, sharing what the future foresees for governance of the Congregation.

The Rector Major began by stressing that the news was completely “unexpected” for him, and that he welcomed it as a “gift that Pope Francis has given us as a Salesian Congregation and as the Family of Don Bosco.” “How much the Pope loves us!!!” the Rector Major writes.

Pope Francis himself, recounts Don Bosco’s 10th successor, summoned Fr. Fernandez to the Vatican on Tuesday, July 11, for an appointment that he wanted, with fatherly attention, so as “to agree on the necessary timing of my service as Rector Major, for the good of the Congregation.”

The Holy Father “was attentive, warm and a profound admirer of Don Bosco's charism and particularly affectionate,” Fr. Fernandez reported. At the end of the conversation, he said, the Pope has decided that the Rector Major continue his service as Rector Major and cardinal at the same time, for one year. He will then convene a general chapter – the Congregation’s 29th – to be held in February 2025, during which a new Rector Major will be elected. He will offer his resignation from governance of the Congregation on July 31, 2024. From that point on his vicar, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, will assume governance of the Congregation ad interim, and he will preside at GC29.

The Rector Major states in his communique that when his resignation becomes effective, he will take up the task entrusted to him by the Holy Father, a task he is not yet aware of. He asks the Salesians and the Salesian Family to intensify their prayers for the Pope and also for himself, “faced with the prospect of this new service in the Church which, as a son of Don Bosco, I accept in obedience, without having sought it, nor wanted it.”

The complete letter of the Rector Major is available in various languages.