Congregation (Roman Curia)
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In the
Originally, congregations were select groups of
Each congregation is led by a Prefect, who is usually a cardinal.[2] Until recently, a non-cardinal appointed to head a congregation was styled pro-prefect until made a cardinal. This practice has been abandoned.
History and functioning
Certain curial departments have been organized by the Holy See at various times to assist it in the transaction of those affairs which canonical discipline and the individual interests of the faithful bring to Rome. Among the most important were the Roman Congregations, traditionally comprising cardinals who assist the pope in the administration of the affairs of the Church.[3]
Under the current law, the dicasteries are juridically equal, but congregations generally have more direct jurisdiction than other dicasteries.[4]
The Roman Congregations originated from the necessity, felt from the beginning, of studying the questions submitted for pontifical decision, in order to sift the legal questions arising and to establish matters of fact. Ecclesiastical business used to be handled by the pontifical chancery. This work, at first entrusted to the papal chaplains, was afterwards divided between the penitentiarii and the auditores, according as questions of the internal or the external forum (i.e., jurisdiction) were to be considered. Thereafter, cardinals in greater or less number were associated with them. Often, however, they were not merely entrusted with the preparation of the case, but were given authority to decide it. However, the ever-growing number of business items and the ever-increasing complexity of the issues necessitated the creation of separate, specialised administrative-legislative bodies[2] (the administrative and legislative functions of ecclesiastical government are not as sharply separated in the Catholic Church as in a secular government with the separation of powers).[2]
- Congregation for the Holy Inquisition
- Congregation of the Signatura
- Congregation for the Erection of Churches and Consistorial Provisions
- Congregation of the Annona, for the provisioning of Rome and the provinces
- Congregation for Sacred Rites and Ceremonies
- Congregation of the Sapienza
- Congregation for an Index of Forbidden Books
- Congregation for the Execution and Interpretation of the Council of Trent
- Congregation of the Public Welfare
- Congregation for the University of the Roman study(or school)
- Congregation for Regulations of Religious Orders
- Congregation for Regulations of Bishops and Other Prelates
- Congregation for Taking Care of Roads, Bridges, and Waters
- Congregation for the Vatican Printing-Press
- Congregation of State Consultations
While the chief end of the Congregations of Cardinals was to assist the pontiff in the administration of the affairs of the Church, some of these congregations were created to assist in the administration of the temporal
Reform of Pius X
Other congregations were added by different popes, until a complete organization was established by Pope Pius X in his Constitution Sapienti Consilio of 29 June 1908, according to which there were thirteen congregations, counting that of the Propaganda as only one; however, the last-named congregation is divided into two parts: Congregation of the Propaganda for Affairs of the Latin Church, and Congregation of the Propaganda for Affairs of the Oriental Rites, it may well be considered as two congregations, so that the total number of the congregations is fourteen. Sixtus V granted ordinary jurisdiction to each of the congregations which he instituted within the limits of the cases assigned to it, reserving to himself and to his successors the presidency of some of the more important congregations, such as the Congregation of the Holy Inquisition and that of the Signature of Grace. As time went on, the congregations of cardinals, which at first dealt exclusively with administrative matters, came to pass upon the legal points of the cases submitted to them, until the congregations overshadowed the ecclesiastical tribunals and even the Roman Rota, in fact almost taking their places. In time the transaction of business was impeded by the accumulation of jurisdictions, different congregations exercising jurisdiction rendering decisions and enacting laws in the same matters; Pius X resolved to define the competency of each congregation more precisely and to provide otherwise for the better exercise of its functions.[3]
On 29 June 1908, with the constitution
- Holy Office
- Consistorial Congregation
- Sacraments
- Congregation for the Council
- Congregation for Religious
- Propaganda Fide
- Congregation for Rites
- Congregation for Ceremonial
- Congregation for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs
- Congregation for Seminaries and Universities
- Congregation for the Eastern Church
All decisions of the sacred congregations require pontifical approval, unless special powers have been given previously by the pope. The officials of the congregations are divided into two classes: minor officers, who are to be chosen by competitive examination and named by a letter of the
The competency of the 'congresso' in each congregation is determined. The congresso consists of the major officers under the presidency of the cardinal who presides over the congregation. It deals with the matters of less importance among those that are before the congregation, while those of greater moment must be referred to the full congregation. It is also the business of the congresso to prepare for their discussion those matters that are to be considered by the full congregation. On the other hand, the congresso is charged with the execution of the orders of the full congregation that have received the approval of the pope. As examples of matters of greater importance which must be considered by the full congregation, the special rules (normæ peculiares) mention the solution of doubts or of questions that may arise in regard to the interpretation of ecclesiastical laws, the examination of important administrative controversies and kindred matters.[3]
Reform of Paul VI
Following the
Reform of John Paul II
The most recent reorganization of the Roman Congregations came with
Sr. Luzia Premoli, superior general of the Combonian Missionary Sisters, was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 2014, thus becoming the first woman to be appointed a member of a Vatican congregation.[8]
Reform of Pope Francis
On 19 March 2022, Pope Francis issue the
Current dicasteries
This section needs additional citations for verification. (September 2022) |
As of 2022, there are sixteen Dicasteries:[11]
See also
References
- ^ "The Roman Curia - Index". www.vatican.va.
- ^ a b c d René Metz, Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Catholicism, Vol. 80: What is Canon Law? (New York: Hawthorn Books, 1960), pp. 99-101
- ^ a b c d e f Ojetti, Benedetto. "The Roman Congregations." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 30 September 2022 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Wooden, Cindy. "Changing needs, changing names: Reform of Curia is Vatican tradition". The Catholic Sun. Catholic News Service. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ISBN 0-415-92230-5.
- ^ Lamb, Christopher. "How Pope Francis is reforming the Roman Curia", Chicago Catholic, June 1, 2022
- ^ Sodano, Angelo Cardinal (2001). "The Holy See's Presence in International Affairs". Seton Hall Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations. 2: 87.
- ^ "First woman appointed to a Vatican congregation joyful :: EWTN News". www.ewtnnews.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
- ^ "Pope Francis promulgates new Apostolic Constitution of Roman Curia". Vatican News. 2022-03-19. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ O'Connell, Gerard (2022-03-19). "With Pope Francis' reform of the Roman Curia, nine years of work is coming to fruition". America Magazine.
- ^ "Pope Francis reforms Roman Curia with launch of Vatican constitution". Catholic News Agency. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "Pope names Jesuit prelate to succeed Müller at doctrine office", CNS, July 1, 2017
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "The Roman Congregations". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.