CARDINAL Kevin Farrell’s new pastoral framework entitled Life is Always a Good: Initiating Processes for a Pastoral Care of Human Life has been published by his Vatican department, the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.
The document calls for renewed efforts to defend and promote human life in all contexts.
The Bishops Conference of England and Wales have welcomed its message.
Cardinal Farrell cited global challenges including war, violence against women and children, neglect of the elderly, and threats to migrants and the disabled as threats to both the survival and dignity of human life.
The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life is part of the Roman Curia with responsibility for several elements, but crucially “support of human life”.
Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, KGCHS (aged 77 ) is a Dublin-born prelate who has served as prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life since 2016. He has also serves in the senior Vatican position of Camerlengo (since 2019) and as President of the Supreme Court of Vatican City (since 2024).
He is seen as mid-tier possibility of becoming the next pope, among the top ten favourites, should a vacancy should arise. His odds are mostly given as around 10-1.
The Dublin man is generally seen more as a steady administrator than a charismatic public figure such as Pope John Paul II.
Farrell is known for being measured, diplomatic, and does have one very useful gift — one for languages. He was brought up speaking Irish, but is now, of course, fluent in English. He is also fluent in Italian (an almost essential prerequisite to becoming pope), and after having been Bishop of Dallas, a diocese with a large number of Spanish-speaking Catholics, many of Mexican descent, and has also served in Latin America.