U.S. Cardinals Keep the Lines of Communication Open in Rome

By John D. Stoll
Wall Street Journal
March 6, 2013

http://blogs.wsj.com/dispatch/2013/03/06/u-s-cardinals-keep-the-lines-of-communication-open-in-rome/

Cardinals from the United States have played an outsized role in steering public discourse in the days leading up to the conclave to elect a new pope. The American Church officials have used interviews, social media and daily press briefings to inform the world about the pre-conclave meetings currently going on in Rome.

But the party could be over…or at least a lot less lively.

The North American College of Cardinals — where seminarians from North America come to train in Rome for the priesthood — cancelled a press briefing Wednesday amid concern over potential leaks during a particularly sensitive time.

“Concern was expressed in the General Congregation about leaks of confidential proceedings reported in Italian newspapers,” Sister Mary Ann Walsh, spokeswoman for the U.S. Bishops Conference, said in an email cancelling the briefing about a half hour before it was due to begin.

“As a precaution, the cardinals have agreed not to do interviews,” she added.