the Roman Curia is the Entirety of authorities and courts, which the Pope uses to govern the universal Church. In the future, this will include the state and economic secretariat, departments, courts and commissions. before the in June 2022 Curia reform “Predicate Gospel” came into force there were also councils and congregations.
Since the Curia reform of 1967 under Pope Paul VI. the Secretariat of State held a pre-eminence among the Curial authorities. He created further secretariats and councils for new tasks, such as for ecumenism, for dialogue with non-Christians and non-believers, for families and lay people.
In 1988, John Paul II simplified with the Apostolic Constitution “Pastor bonus” the organization. Since then, in addition to the State Secretariat, there have been nine congregations for central internal church matters, three courts of justice and 13 councils for the service of the church in the world.
Pope Francis At the request of the cardinals gathered in the 2013 conclave, he planned to reform the curia from the start:
- So he took up several councils and commissions “dicasteries” (ancient Greek courts of justice) together.
- An authority for “the service of the holistic human development“, one for “the Laity, the family and life” as well as a dicastery that Vatican Media and the communication bundles.
- Up to now, each dicastery has usually been headed by a cardinal or archbishop, who are assisted by secretaries and under-secretaries. According to the new Curia constitution “Praedicate Gospel” can also Lay people, male or female, into positions of leadership be appointed.
- The leadership of the Dicastery of Evangelization is reserved for the Pope.
Source: KNA
Image source: DPA