Saturday, December 10, 2005

New CDW Secretary

Moving quickly to replace Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, who was named three weeks ago to the Umbrian diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, Benedict XVI has tapped Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don, the Sri Lanka-born nuncio to Indonesia and East Timor, to be Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

This is another one of those appointments which is a surprise to 99% of everyone. A few weeks ago, I got an e.mail from someone who turned out not to be in the know, claiming that an English-speaking "Indian" was being mentioned, "but nobody seriously believes he will be named." Hmm. Oh well.

My favorite analysis of the Don appointment came in another note kindly shot my way: "I guess if you have dealt with the civil war in Sri Lanka and the military in Indonesia and Timor, then you're ready to deal with the machinations of Trautperson."

It's inculturation time.

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