VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Robert Sarah as the Vatican’s top official, a hero of many conservatives who have often clashed with the pontiff over theological issues.
The African cardinal, who is from Guinea, has held various positions at the Vatican for the past 20 years, most recently as head of the department overseeing matters of worship and sacraments.
Sarah resigned in June last year, when she turned 75, as Church law requires all bishops, but the pope often allows Vatican officials to remain in office longer. The Vatican announced on Saturday that it is resigning.
In the most recent position she has held since 2014, Sarah has dragged her feet in implementing the changes Francis wanted, such as allowing women to be among those attending Holy Thursday services.
Church conservatives often put Sarah on their wish list to one day succeed Francis as pontiff. But most observers saw this possibility as far-fetched, as Sarah was seen as extremely divisive and would not have widespread support among her cardinal colleagues.
In addition to not openly agreeing with Francis on a number of theological issues, Sarah was involved in an embarrassing episode last year on a book in defense of priestly celibacy that she said was written. together with the former Pope Benedict.
Just days before publication, Benedict said he wanted his name removed from the cover because he had made only a minor contribution.
Sarah publicly challenged Benedict’s version, but agreed that in future editions, Benedict would be named collaborator and not co-author.
Reporting by Philip Pullella; Montage by Frances Kerry