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	An Extra-ordinary Consistory Vatican Radio November 19, 2010 http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=440469 The extra-ordinary consistory of the College of Cardinals began Friday in the Vatican’s Synod Hall. A day of prayer and reflection on the most urgent issues currently facing the Universal Church: the lack of religious freedom, the Churches response to cases of sex abuse, the liturgy and Anglicanorum coetibus, the norms on welcoming Anglicans into the Catholic Church. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, began the one day session by welcoming the Pope on behalf of all 150 cardinals present and thanking him for the recent beatification of Cardinal Newman and the introduction of a similar cause of beatification for the late Cardinal Van Thuan, for glory of the Church in Vietnam. Pope Benedict then took the floor giving a brief introduction to the two main topics for discussion in the session, religious freedom and the liturgy. He recalled that the mandate of the Lord to proclaim the Gospel implies the need for the freedom to do so and yet, in the course of history, it has meet several obstacles. The relationship between truth and freedom is essential, but now faces the challenge of relativism, which at first glance, seems to complete the concept of freedom but in reality threatens to destroy it like a veritable "dictatorship." We find ourselves in a time where we must work hard to assert the freedom to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and the great achievements of Christian culture. As to the second theme, the Pope recalled the crucial importance of the liturgy in the Church, because it is the place of God's presence with us. Thus, the place where truth lives with us. The topic of Church freedom today was introduced by Card Bertone, Secretary of State, and the theme of the liturgy in the life of the church, by Cardinal Canizares, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship. Cardinal Bertone gave an overview of today's attempts to limit the freedom of Christians in the various regions of the world. He asked his audience to reflect on the situation of religious freedom in Western countries, nations that often are deeply indebted to Christianity for their identity and culture, but today witnessing a process of secularization, with attempts to exclude spiritual values from society. Then he underscored the situation of religious freedom in Muslim countries, pointing out the conclusions reached by the recent Synod of Bishops for the Middle East. Finally he presented the activities of the Holy See and the local of Catholic Bishops, both East and West, in defence of religious freedom. In this regard, The Cardinal recalled the many efforts of the Holy See in the international arena to promote respect the religious freedom of believers at a state level and UN organizations. Cardinal Canizares then recalled the importance of prayer in the liturgical life of the Church, citing the doctrine of Vatican II and the Magisterium of Pope Benedict XVI. In particular he stressed the importance of fidelity to the current liturgical discipline. He also spoke of the serious difficulties currently encountered by the Church in defending the basic values of natural law, such as respect for life and family. Another argument put forward was that of inter-religious dialogue, especially with Islam. Following lunch, in the afternoon session Cardinal William Levada is due to illustrate the Churches response to cases of child abuse by clergy and norms issued by the Holy See to welcome Anglicans into the Catholic Church. Emer McCarthy reports:
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