Dicastery

This article explains the dicasteries of the Roman Curia; for other meanings see Dicastery (disambiguation) .

As dicasteries ( Greek. Δικαστήριον dikastērion "court" of δικάζω dikázo "decide") refers to the various posts ( departments ) of the Roman Curia . They are the central authorities charged by the Pope ( Holy See ) with the management of the Roman Catholic Church . They include the secretariat of state , the congregations , the ecclesiastical courts, the papal councils, commissions and offices.

The most important dicastery among the last Popes since the Curia reforms in the 20th century is the State Secretariat , headed by the Cardinal State Secretary , who coordinates the foreign policy of the Vatican. The heads of the congregations and the Apostolic Signatures are called prefects , those of the Pontifical Councils and Commissions are called presidents .

The structure and organization of the dicasteries is regulated in the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus of June 28, 1988. The prefect or president presides over, directs and legally represents the dicastery. The secretary, who is assisted by a sub-secretary or undersecretary, assists the prefect or the president in the responsible and authoritative management of business and employees.

Web links

Wiktionary: Dicastery  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

• John Paul II : Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus , online , accessed August 4, 2015.

Individual evidence

1. ^ "Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus of June 28, 1988" , German Bishops' Conference , accessed on September 24, 2017
2. ↑ “Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus of June 28, 1988” , Vatican , accessed October 13, 2017
3. ↑ "Regolamento Generale della Curia Romana of April 30, 1999" , Vatican, accessed on October 13, 2017 (it.)