Catholic Church officials, staff take oath of secrecy ahead of papal conclave
Officials and staff involved in the May 7 conclave, a process electing the successor of the late Pope Francis, took an oath of secrecy on May 5.
The Vatican News reported that the oath-taking is stipulated by the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, which was promulgated by Pope John Paul II on Feb. 22, 1996.
Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, administered the oath taken by all clergy and laity members whom he and his three cardinal assistants had approved.
The oath-taking group includes the following members, according to Vatican News:
- the Secretary of the College of Cardinals
- the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations
- the seven papal masters of ceremonies
- the ecclesiastic chosen by the cardinal presiding over the Conclave to assist him
- the two Augustinian religious assigned to the Papal Sacristy
- the religious personnel of various languages for confessions
- the medical doctors and nurses
- the elevator operators of the Apostolic Palace
- the staff responsible for dining services and cleaning
- the florists
- the technical services staff
- those responsible for transporting electors from the Casa Santa Marta to the Apostolic Palace
- the colonel
- a major of the Pontifical Swiss Guard assigned to surveillance near the Sistine Chapel
- the Director of Security Services and Civil Protection of the Vatican City State, along with some of his collaborators
They personally pronounced and signed the prescribed formula in the presence of Farrell, with two apostolic protonotaries acting as witnesses.
The oath includes a solemn promise to maintain absolute secrecy regarding all matters directly or indirectly related to the voting, as well as scrutiny for the election of the Supreme Pontiff. They have a perpetual obligation unless expressly authorized by the newly elected Pope or his successors.
The oath also reaffirms the prohibition of audio and video recording devices, under penalty of latae sententiae excommunication, or immediate exclusion from the Catholic Church, reserved to the Apostolic See.
"This ceremony indicates the Church's commitment to the confidentiality and sanctity of the papal election process, ensuring that all auxiliary personnel uphold the integrity of the Conclave," Vatican News said.
During the conclave, cardinals worldwide will be locked in seclusion as they vote for the next pope.
Of the 252 cardinals serving the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church, some 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to take part in the conclave. It includes three Filipinos: Pablo Virgilio David, Luis Antonio Tagle and Jose Advincula. Two of the 135 eligible cardinals, meanwhile, are absent due to health reasons.
The cardinals have arrived in Rome on May 5, according to the Vatican.
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on April 21. He was 88. His death came a day after he had made his first prolonged public appearance since being discharged on March 23 from a 38-day hospital stay for double pneumonia.
Francis was laid to rest on April 26 at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome.
