Congregation of Ceremonies

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Pope Sixtus V, founder of the Congregation of Ceremonies

The Sacred Congregation of Ceremonies was a dicastery of the Roman Curia that was charged with the direction of all papal ceremonies as well as of the ceremonial of cardinals.

History and functions

The congregation was established by

ablegate who were sent to convey to new cardinals, living in Catholic states outside of Rome, the news of their promotion, together with the cardinal's hat and the red biretta. It instructed newly promoted cardinals, too, on the etiquette to be followed conformably with their new dignity. Finally, it solved the questions of precedence
which arose among cardinals or among ambassadors to the Holy See.

It was dissolved in 1967 in the Curial reforms by Pope Paul VI.

Prefects since 1884

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ Baart, Peter A. (1895). The Roman court. Pustet. pp. 163.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainHerbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "The Roman Congregations". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.