Conclave officials, staff sworn to secrecy — report

The Vatican News reported that the officials and staff involved in the Conclave took the 'Oath of Secrecy' on Monday in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.

The oath, which follows the provision in the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, promulgated by Pope John Paul II in February 1996, was approved by Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell and the three cardinal assistants.

Administered by the Camerlengo, the oath takers were both clergy and lay people.

Earlier, the Holy See Press Office announced, "All those who will be attendants at the upcoming Conclave, both ecclesiastics and laypersons, approved by the Cardinal Camerlengo and the three Cardinal Assistants, in accordance with the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis no. 48, must take and sign the prescribed oath."

On the basis of Nos. 46 and 47 of the same Constitution, the following must be present by 17.00 (11 p.m. Manila time) in the Pauline Chapel:

• the Secretary of the College of Cardinals;
• the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations;
• the Pontifical Masters of Celebrations;
• the ecclesiastic chosen by the Cardinal presiding over the Conclave to assist him in his office;
• religious staff of the Pontifical Sacristy;
• religious of various languages for confessions;
• doctors and nurses;
• lift attendants in the Apostolic Palace;
• staff of the refectory and cleaning services;
• staff of the Floreria and technical services;
• staff responsible for transporting the Electors from the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Apostolic Palace;
• the Colonel and Major of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, surveillance staff close to the Sistine Chapel;
• the Director of the Security Services and Vatican City State Civil Protection, with some of their collaborators.

"After being instructed on the meaning of the oath, they must pronounce and personally sign the prescribed formula in front of His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, with the two Protonotaries Apostolic de numero," according to the document signed by Ravelli.

According to the Vatican report, "the oath includes a solemn promise to maintain absolute secrecy regarding all matters directly or indirectly related to the voting and scrutiny for the election of the Supreme Pontiff, with a perpetual obligation unless expressly authorised by the newly elected Pope or his successors. It also reaffirms the prohibition of audio and video recording devices, under penalty of latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See." — BAP, GMA Integrated News