Inside the Roman Curia

The Roman Curia is the administrative arm of the Roman Catholic Church out of which the Holy See performs his duties of administering the affairs of the universal church (www.vatican.va). This is necessary due to the vast nature of the Catholic Church and the myriad of issues and matters requiring the Holy Father's attention, either directly or indirectly. The Court of Rome, which is what the Roman Curia stands for, acts in the name of the Roman Pontiff and with his authority for the good and the service of the particular Churches and provides the necessary central organization for the correct functioning of the Church and the achievement of its goals. (Code of Canon Law, can. 360)

Broadly speaking, the Roman Curia is made up dicasteries or departments which can be likened to ministries or cabinets in a typical government. There is the Secretariat of State, Congregations, Tribunals, Pontifical Councils, Synod of Bishops, Offices, Pontifical Commissions, Swiss Guard, and Institutions connected with the Holy See, Labour Office of the Apostolic See, Pontifical Academies and Pontifical Committees.

Some departments also have sub-departments. The ‘Secretariat’ has two sections; one for general affairs and the other for Relations with states. There are nine ‘Congregations’ including the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and the Causes of Saints. There are three ‘Tribunals’ which form the judiciary arm of the Roman Curia. There are twelve ‘Pontifical Councils’ including the council for Promoting Christian unity, for Inter-religious dialogue and for Promoting New Evangelization. 

The ‘Offices’ are the financial departments of the Curia and there are three of those. There are seven ‘Pontifical Commissions’ including the Commission for theCathechism of the Catholic Church; fourteen ‘Institutions’ including the Vatican Press, Publishing House, Radio and Television, twelve academies and two committees. The ‘Swiss Guard’ is the military arm of the Roman Curia and responsible for the security of the Holy See as well as the entire Vatican City. The‘Synod of Bishops’ is an advisory body made up of bishops from all over the world. The ‘Labour office’ is responsible for managing all employee related matters foremployees of the Holy See and the Vatican City. (www.vatican.va,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Curia). This is, in a nutshell, the structure of the Roman Curia.

To most Catholics and indeed also non-catholic watchers of the church, the Roman Curia is seen as the centre of power of the Catholic Church; a 'closed' body, disconnected from the realities of the world all around it and the needs of the members of the church. This perception has been fuelled by members of the Roman Curia who for the most part acted isolated and closed from the rest of the church.

The following is an excerpt of an article published in Time magazine In January 1963, in the wake of the 2nd Vatican Council called by Pope John XXIII. "In its anxiety to defend the doctrines attacked centuries ago by the reformation, the Catholic Church often overemphasized its differences with Protestantism..... Too often still fighting the old battles between Protestantism and 'modernism'. The men chiefly responsible for this negative posture belong to the Roman Curia, the central administrative body of the Catholic Church. Comprising of mostly aging Italians quite insulated from the modern world, they exerted vast influence and control not only on the worldwide world but on the pope himself. They have usually been satisfied with the church they way it is, and have looked upon any efforts to change it with deep hostility. 'Rome has spoken, the matter is settled' was the Curia's traditional pronouncement in deciding catholic affairs around the world". (Time magazine, January 1963 publication).

It was in the midst of this disconnect between the catholic faithful and the centre of administration of the Catholic Church that Pope John XXIII convoked the 2nd Vatican Council, whose objective was to renew the life of the Church, to reform structures and institutions that needed updating, and to discover ways and means of promoting unity among all Christians.  It was no secret that the officials of the Roman Curia at that time were initially against this council. They greeted the news with horror and amazement and stony silence; the predominant thought being how it was possible that this 'interim' pope (as was assumed by everyone at the time of John XXIII election due to his advanced age) could make such a major decision?(http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/curial-horror-greeted-john-xxiiis-announcement-ecumenical-council).

Nonetheless, Pope John XXIII overcame all this resistance and after nearly four years of preparation, the first session took place in October 1962. 

It appears that amongst many things, one of the major achievements of Pope John XXIII was in opening up the church to all peoples, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, and even non-Christians. In addition to bishops from all over the world, invitees to the council included non-Catholics and non-Christians. Also in ensuring that the bishops and church fathers who were not members of the Roman Curia were actively involved in the sessions and freely expressed their opinions, he disabused the notion of "Rome has spoken, the matter is settled" and opened up the faithful to see that Rome was not the sole source of power and authority in the catholic world; rather the leadership of the church made up of all the bishops and church elders all around the world is.

Over fifty years after the convocation of the second Vatican council, to a large extent the church is still reaping of the benefits of that council. However some things haven't changed much, one of which is the persistent 'close mindedness' of themajority of the members of the Roman Curia. The ‘Curialists’ for the most part remain career-minded individuals who see themselves as courtiers, rather than service men aiding the Holy Father in the service of the universal church. Somepopes have continued the work of reforming the Curia following the end of the Vatican II council. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict carried out reforms to varying degrees and Pope Francis has continued in this light. The whole church is looking forward to see in what manner these reforms will take. I dare say for starters it would be nice to see a Curia that is less 'Italian' and more 'universal' in nature, truly representing the universal and diverse nature of the Catholic Church. Also there aredepartments and sub-departments whose functions overlap and a leaner and more agile Curia attuned to the mission of the church and the Holy See would serve us better. Change is looming and seems to be happening slowly, very slowly indeed; but it is change that we are confident will surely come.