Pope Francis Reorganizes Rome Vicariate
By Marie
Pope Francis, as Bishop of Rome, is reorganizing the Vicariate of Rome in his recent reform and reorganization of the Roman Curia.
Of the many changes, the pope created two new bodies: an office dedicated to safeguarding minors and vulnerable people; and an independent supervisory commission of papally appointed experts who monitor the vicariate’s work and administrative and economic affairs.
The pope wrote in a new papal instruction, “To become more suitably channelled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation and to be at the service of a church that reaches out to everyone, evangelizing in word and deed, embracing human life and touching the suffering flesh of Christ in others.”
The changes, which go into effect on Jan. 31, were released on Jan. 6 in the new apostolic constitution, “In Ecclesiarum Communione” (“In the Communion of Churches”). It replaces the previous constitution, “Ecclesia in Urbe” (“The Church in the City”), issued by St. John Paul II in 1988.
The new document aims to revitalize the vicariate’s mission by giving “primacy” to charity and the proclamation of divine mercy, synodality with the faithful and promoting greater collegiality, particularly between the pope and his auxiliary bishops of Rome.
The pope will have a much greater role in the vicariate, staying informed with required reporting, presiding over meetings of the episcopal council and taking part in major decisions concerning pastoral, administrative and financial matters, including requiring his final approval of the diocese’s annual budget report.
The constitution recognized that “due to the very large task of governing the universal church,” the pope needs to have help in caring for the Diocese of Rome, which is why he appointed a cardinal vicar.
The cardinal vicar will inform the pope “periodically and whenever he deems it necessary about the pastoral activity and life of the diocese. In particular, he will not undertake initiatives that are important or exceed ordinary administration without first reporting to me.”
The cardinal vicar also must submit first to the pope all candidates “for possible admission to Holy Orders” after those candidates have received approval from the episcopal council.