On February 14th, the Pope "wanted to appoint me again, until otherwise provided, President of our Conference. In expressing my deep and filial gratitude to him, I wish to tell you too, my dear brothers, that I am getting ready to cover this last stretch of an already very long road, confiding as usual in your goodness, in the brotherly bond that unites us, in your patience and forbearance of my many limitations and sins". With a heart-felt greeting, card. Camillo Ruini addressed the Permanent Council of Cei that opened in Rome this afternoon, to last until Wednesday 22nd. The cardinal devoted a large part of his opening speech to church-related subjects. He began by recalling the "great gift" that Pope Benedict XVI gave to the Church with his encyclical, "Deus caritas est", which "has already been read by a huge number of people, both in Italy and abroad". "At all levels, we are called said Ruini to carry out, with faithfulness and generosity, his message in the big pastoral, social and cultural positions as well as in the daily practice of our lives". The President of the Italian Bishops then recalled some dates that will mark the life of the Church in the near future, starting from the Consistory (24-25 March) during which the Holy Father will appoint 15 new cardinals. (to be continued)
