THE CONSISTORY: Half A Cappa Is Better Than None?

The gentleman at left is Cardinal-designate Carlo Caffara of Bologna. (No lie -- he looks like my exterminator's twin. But I digress....)

A former consultor to the CDF, Caffara is a well-known moral theologian in Italy and the founder of the John Paul II Institutes for Marriage and the Family -- the first in Rome, then one in Washington. He received an honorary doctorate in "Christian Letters" from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. (Tip to FUS alum Dom for the clarification.)

At left, Caffara, shown here at his reception as archbishop of Bologna in early 2004, is wearing the taborro -- the colored winter double-cloak formerly conceded to prelates.

Technically, it's been banned... but since when did that ever stop ostentation in this business?


PHOTO: AP/Paolo Ferrari

-30-