ND Experts: Pope Francis and the new cardinals | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › ND Experts: Pope Francis and the new cardinals ND Experts: Pope Francis and the new cardinals Published: January 14, 2014 Author: Michael O. Garvey John Cavadini, left, Lawrence Cunningham and Timothy Matovina On Sunday (Jan. 12), when Pope Francis announced the names of the 19 men he will soon make cardinals, he also gave some University of Notre Dame theologians an inkling of his vision of the Catholic Church. “Pope Benedict represented a ‘back to basics’ move theologically, and Francis interprets and represents the same move pastorally,” according to John C. Cavadini, professor of theology and McGrath-Cavadini Director of Notre Dame’s Institute for Church Life. “If we believe that ‘God is love,’ then we should make our pastoral strategy one that translates that basic truth into a readily accessible and visible pastoral strategy of proclamation and action to those most needing to hear it. These appointments seem to conform to such a vision of the new evangelization.” A member of Notre Dame’s faculty since 1990, Cavadini was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to the International Theological Commission, an advising body to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. “The list of new cardinals was, by and large, predictable,” said church historian Lawrence Cunningham, emeritus John A. O’Brien Professor of Theology, “but creating a cardinal from Haiti and another from Burkina Faso in Africa indicates two things: The papal preference for the forgotten world of the poor, and a voice within the College that can speak to the cardinals, both residential in the Vatican and those in the Catholic world, that the poorest of the earth have representation in the Catholic Church at the highest level.” According to Timothy Matovina, professor of theology and executive director of Notre Dame’s Institute for Latino Studies, “Pope Francis’ choices for new cardinals show his concern for the whole Church, with his usual strong emphasis on accompanying the poor in the Church’s life and mission.” Matovina, who specializes in Latino theology and religion, is the author of the recent book “Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church.” Contact: John Cavadini, 574-631-5510, Cavadini.1@nd.edu; Lawrence Cunningham, 574-233-5492, Cunningham.1@nd.edu; Timothy Matovina, 574-631-3841, Matovina.1@nd.edu Posted In: Faith Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 03, 2022 dCEC to Award 2023 ND Evangelium Vitae Medal to Robert P. George September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross September 15, 2022 In new book on global Catholicism, Provost John McGreevy explores modern history, current challenges of the Church September 15, 2022 Death penalty abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean to speak at Notre Dame September 14, 2022 Apostolic nuncio to Great Britain to deliver the 2022 Keeley Vatican Lecture For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn