National Catholic Register, Edward Pentin: VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has chosen to head the Vatican’s newly merged department for education and culture a Portuguese poet close to Francis’ thinking, but who has also been criticized for sympathizing with heterodox approaches to homosexuality and allying himself with a radical feminist Benedictine sister who promotes abortion and same-sex “marriage.”
Cardinal José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça, 56, a native of the Portuguese island of Madeira, was appointed Sept. 26 to head the Dicastery for Culture and Education, a new curial department that brings together the former Congregation for Catholic Education and Pontifical Council for Culture. The two dicasteries were merged as part of the Roman Curia’s new apostolic constitution, Praedicate Evangelium (Preach the Gospel).
According to the constitution, as prefect Cardinal Mendonça’s tasks will include working with bishops worldwide to promote the teaching of the Catholic religion in schools, and ensuring that “the integrity of the Catholic faith is safeguarded in doctrinal teaching.” He will also be tasked with developing “the fundamental principles of education regarding schools, Catholic and ecclesiastical institutes of higher education and research.” Report is here.
