Catholic World News

Pope to open academic year for John Paul II Institute, replacing Cardinal Sarah

October 06, 2016

Pope Francis will speak at the inauguration of the new academic year for the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, the Vatican has announced.

Cardinal Robert Sarah, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, had originally been scheduled to preside at the event, which will be held on October 27. The Pope’s decision to appear personally seems to underline his hope for change in the direction of the Institute.

In August, the Pope replaced both the chancellor and the president of the John Paul II Institute. The newly appointed leaders, Archbishop Vincenzio Paglia and Msgr. Pierangelo Sequeri, have taken notably more liberal views on questions involving marriage and family than their predecessors, Cardinal Agostino Vallini and Msgr. Livio Melina.

Cardinal Sarah is also strongly associated with the defense of traditional Church teachings on marriage, family, and sexuality, for which the John Paul II Institute has been known.

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