Dicastery for Bishops

Dicastery for Bishops
Name	Dicastery for Bishops
Caption	Emblem of the Holy See
Type	Dicastery of the Roman Curia
Headquarters	Palazzo delle Congregazioni, Piazza Pio XII, Rome
Language	Latin, Italian
Leader title	Prefect
Leader name	Robert Francis Prevost
Leader title2	Secretary
Leader name2	Ilson de Jesus Montanari
Website	https://www.dicasteryforbishops.va/

Dicastery for Bishops. It is a department of the Roman Curia responsible for assisting the Pope in the selection of new bishops for Latin Church dioceses outside of mission territories. The dicastery plays a central role in the governance of the Catholic Church by evaluating candidates for the episcopacy and overseeing the periodic review of dioceses. Its work is fundamental to maintaining hierarchical structure and pastoral leadership across the global church.

History

The origins of the dicastery trace back to the 16th century, with Pope Sixtus V formally establishing the Congregation for the Erection of Churches and Consistorial Provisions in 1588 through the apostolic constitution Immensa Aeterni Dei. This body evolved over centuries, becoming the Congregation for Bishops following reforms by Pope Pius X in 1908. A major reorganization occurred with the apostolic constitution Pastor Bonus issued by Pope John Paul II in 1988, which clarified its modern competencies. The most recent reform was enacted by Pope Francis through the constitution Praedicate Evangelium in 2022, which renamed it the Dicastery for Bishops and integrated it more fully into the evangelization mission of the Holy See.

Function and responsibilities

The primary function is to process all appointments for diocesan bishops, coadjutor bishops, and auxiliary bishops within its purview, excluding territories under the Dicastery for Evangelization and those of Eastern Catholic Churches. It organizes the quinquennial ad limina visits of bishops to Rome, where they meet the Pope and curial officials. The dicastery also examines proposals for the erection, division, or suppression of dioceses and ecclesiastical provinces. Furthermore, it grants permissions for bishops to be absent from their sees and deals with matters referred to it by the Pontiff concerning episcopal governance.

Structure and leadership

The dicastery is headed by a cardinal serving as Prefect, currently Robert Francis Prevost. The second-highest official is the Secretary, an archbishop presently held by Ilson de Jesus Montanari. Its membership includes numerous cardinals and bishops appointed by the Pope, who form a body of consultors. The staff includes officials known as minutanti who prepare dossiers and a roster of apostolic nuncios who conduct critical consultations in local churches. The dicastery operates from the Palazzo delle Congregazioni on Piazza Pio XII in Rome.

Appointment process

The process begins with the Apostolic Nuncio in a country gathering information and consulting with local church figures, including members of the College of Consultors and metropolitan archbishops. The nuncio compiles a list of candidates, known as the terna, with detailed reports sent to the dicastery in Rome. Officials then review these dossiers and discuss them in regular meetings, typically on alternate Saturdays. The Prefect presents a final recommendation to the Pope during a private audience. Following papal approval, the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches is notified if the appointment concerns a sui iuris church, and the Secretariat of State arranges the official announcement.

Notable members

Historically, the office of Prefect has been held by influential cardinals such as Luciano Storero and Giovanni Battista Re. Other prominent members have included Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who served as Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops for a decade, and Cardinal James Francis Stafford, who was a former president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. The membership often includes senior prelates from diverse regions like Africa, Asia, and the Americas, reflecting the global scope of its deliberations.

Relationship with other dicasteries

It coordinates closely with the Dicastery for Evangelization regarding territories of its competence and with the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches on matters affecting Eastern Catholic hierarchs. It also interacts with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith for doctrinal assessments of candidates and with the Dicastery for Clergy on matters pertaining to diocesan governance. The Secretariat of State is involved in the diplomatic aspects of appointments and communications with civil governments. Furthermore, it collaborates with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints during the ad limina visits.

Category:Dicasteries of the Roman Curia Category:Catholic Church episcopacy Category:1588 establishments in the Papal States