Cardinal Prefect

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cardinal prefects are called curia cardinals , who are heads of certain Vatican dicasteries . These include, above all, the prefects of the congregations and the heads of the prefecture for economic affairs of the Holy See , but also the head of the Apostolic Signature . In the past the heads of these dicasteries were called pro-prefects if they were not cardinals.

You are responsible for all processes within your curial authority and its measures. As a rule, a bishop is assigned to them to manage their dicastery .

Head of other bodies of the Roman Curia , such as B. of the Pontifical Councils and the Pontifical Commissions, are usually called presidents - regardless of whether they were created cardinal or not. In the management and exercise of their office they have the same rights and duties as the Cardinal Prefects. The head of the Apostolic Penitentiary is called the Cardinal Major Penitentiary .

literature

  • Jürgen Erbacher: The Vatican. The encyclopedia. St. Benno, Leipzig [2009], p. 204 a. 320, ISBN 978-3-7462-2752-8