Pontifical Council for the Laity

The former Pontifical Council for the Laity ( Latin Pontificium Consilium pro Laicis ) was founded on January 6, 1967 by the Motu proprio Catholicam Christi Ecclesiam Pope Paul VI. built. On December 10, 1976, the provisional council was made a permanent dicastery within the Roman Curia by the Motu Proprio Apostolatus Peragendi .

The Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus of June 28, 1988 described the council as responsible for “the promotion and coordination of the lay apostolate and all matters relating to the Christian laity as such.” On October 22, 2015, Pope Francis announced that he would take part in the reform of the Curia a new dicastery for laity, family and life would be established, in which the Pontifical Council for the Laity would be absorbed. This dicastery was re-established by the Motu proprio Sedula Mater of August 17, 2016. The Pontifical Council for Laity was absorbed in it on September 1, 2016.

President

1967-1976: Maurice Roy
1976-1984: Opilio Rossi
1984-1996: Eduardo Francisco Pironio
1996-2003: James Francis Stafford
2003-2016: Stanisław Ryłko

Web links

Official website (multilingual)
Detailed self-presentation
Description on catholic-hierarchy.org (English)

Individual evidence

↑ Pope founds authority for families, lay people & life. Vatican Radio, October 22, 2015, accessed October 25, 2015 .
^ Lettera Apostolica “Sedula Mater” in the form of Motu Proprio con cui si istituisce il Dicastero per i Laici, la Famiglia e la Vita. In: Daily Bulletin. Holy See Press Office, August 17, 2016, accessed August 17, 2016 (Italian).

[1] Pope founds authority for families, lay people & life. Vatican Radio, October 22, 2015, accessed October 25, 2015 .

[2] Lettera Apostolica “Sedula Mater” in the form of Motu Proprio con cui si istituisce il Dicastero per i Laici, la Famiglia e la Vita. In: Daily Bulletin. Holy See Press Office, August 17, 2016, accessed August 17, 2016 (Italian).