While the deliberations of the select group of eight cardinals advising Pope Francis on reforming the governance of the Catholic church remain secret, Tuesday gave several peeks into the shape and contour of the discussions.

“Financial reform is topping the agenda, but laity and family life are also points of discussion.

“The chief concern in this round of meetings, according to the Vatican: how to make sure the financial structures of the church are ‘at the service … of the world and not at the operational service of the Vatican itself’ …

“In his interview, (Honduran Cardinal Oscar) Rodríguez (Maradiaga) also raised an idea he has spoken of previously: that the pope create a congregation at the Vatican dedicated solely to the laity.”

By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter — Click here to read the rest of this article.