Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
Encyclopedia
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (Congregatio de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum) is the congregation
of the Roman Curia
that handles most affairs relating to liturgical practices of the Latin Catholic Church as distinct from the Eastern Catholic Churches and also some technical matters relating to the Sacraments. Its functions were originally exercised by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, set up in January 1588 by Pope Sixtus V.
In 1975 it was given the title Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship (Congregatio de Sacramentis et Cultu Divino) and incorporated the functions of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship (Sacra Congregatio pro Cultu Divino) which had been created in 1969 to take on responsibility for the liturgical affairs previously handled by the Sacred Congregation of Rites (Sacra Rituum Congregatio) (1588-1969).
For an interlude in 1984-1988 it was briefly redivided into the Congregation for the Sacraments (Congregatio de Sacramentis) and the Congregation for Divine Worship (Congregatio de Cultu Divino), under one and the same Prefect.
, issued by Pope John Paul II
on June 28, 1988 laid down the functions of the congregation, including:
On August 30, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI issued the Motu Proprio Quaerit Semper which modifies the competency of the congregation by taking away responsibility for unconssumated marriages and nullity of ordination cases. According to the Motu Proprio, this was done because "In these circumstances, it appeared adequate that the work of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments be dedicated essentially [potissimum] to a resumption of the Sacred Liturgy in the Church, according to the renewal that the Second Vatican Council desired, beginning with the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium
."
texts into English
. This commission was established during 2001 to supervise the work of ICEL
on the new Roman Missal until the text was submitted to them in 2008.
Vox Clara met several times a year for three days at a time.
Its current president is the archbishop
of Sydney
, Cardinal
George Pell
, and its secretary is the archbishop emeritus of Westminster
, Cardinal
Cormac Murphy-O'Connor.
Congregation (Roman Curia)
A congregation is a type of dicastery of the Roman Curia, the central administrative organism of the Catholic Church....
of the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
that handles most affairs relating to liturgical practices of the Latin Catholic Church as distinct from the Eastern Catholic Churches and also some technical matters relating to the Sacraments. Its functions were originally exercised by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, set up in January 1588 by Pope Sixtus V.
Current leadership
- Cardinal Prefect: Antonio Cañizares Llovera
- Archbishop Secretary: Joseph Augustine Di NoiaJoseph Augustine Di NoiaJoseph Augustine Di Noia, O.P., is an American archbishop and theologian; he is a prominent member of the Roman Curia, becoming successively Under-Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the...
, O.P. - Undersecretary: Monsignor Anthony Ward, S.M.
History
The congregation is the direct successor of the Sacred Congregation for the Discipline of the Sacraments (Sacra Congregatio de Disciplina Sacramentorum) (1908–1969).In 1975 it was given the title Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship (Congregatio de Sacramentis et Cultu Divino) and incorporated the functions of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship (Sacra Congregatio pro Cultu Divino) which had been created in 1969 to take on responsibility for the liturgical affairs previously handled by the Sacred Congregation of Rites (Sacra Rituum Congregatio) (1588-1969).
For an interlude in 1984-1988 it was briefly redivided into the Congregation for the Sacraments (Congregatio de Sacramentis) and the Congregation for Divine Worship (Congregatio de Cultu Divino), under one and the same Prefect.
Functions
The Apostolic Constitution Pastor BonusPastor Bonus
Pastor Bonus is an Apostolic Constitution promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 28 June 1988. It instituted a number of reforms in the process of running the central government of the Roman Catholic Church, as article 1 states "The Roman Curia is the complex of dicasteries and institutes which help...
, issued by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
on June 28, 1988 laid down the functions of the congregation, including:
- the regulation and promotion of the liturgyLiturgyLiturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
, primarily of the sacramentSacramentA sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:...
s - the regulation of the administration of the sacraments, especially regarding their valid and licit celebration
- promoting liturgical pastoral activity, especially regarding the celebration of the EucharistEucharistThe Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
- the drawing up and revision of liturgical texts
- reviewing particular calendars and proper texts for the MassMass (liturgy)"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
and the Divine OfficeLiturgy of the hoursThe Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings... - granting the recognitio to translations of liturgical bookLiturgical bookA liturgical book is a book published by the authority of a church, that contains the text and directions for the liturgy of its official religious services.-Roman Catholic:...
s and their adaptations - promoting the liturgical apostolate or sacred music, song or art
- ensuring that liturgical norms are accurately observed, and that abuses are avoided and eliminated where they are found to exist.
- examining the fact of non-consummationConsummateConsummation or consummation of a marriage, in many traditions and statutes of civil or religious law, is the first act of sexual intercourse between two individuals, following their marriage to each other...
in a marriageMarriageMarriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
and the existence of a just cause for granting a dispensationDispensation (Catholic Church)In the canon law of the Roman Catholic Church, a dispensation is the suspension by competent authority of general rules of law in particular cases...
. - examining cases concerning the nullity of ordinationOrdinationIn general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
. - regulating the cult of relicRelicIn religion, a relic is a part of the body of a saint or a venerated person, or else another type of ancient religious object, carefully preserved for purposes of veneration or as a tangible memorial...
s, the confirmation of heavenly patronsPatron saintA patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
and the granting of the title of minor basilicaMinor basilicaMinor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom.... - giving assistance to bishops so that the prayerPrayerPrayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
s and pious exercises of the Christian people may be fostered and held in high esteem
On August 30, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI issued the Motu Proprio Quaerit Semper which modifies the competency of the congregation by taking away responsibility for unconssumated marriages and nullity of ordination cases. According to the Motu Proprio, this was done because "In these circumstances, it appeared adequate that the work of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments be dedicated essentially [potissimum] to a resumption of the Sacred Liturgy in the Church, according to the renewal that the Second Vatican Council desired, beginning with the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium
Sacrosanctum Concilium
Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, is one of the constitutions of the Second Vatican Council. It was approved by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,147 to 4 and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 4, 1963...
."
Cardinal Prefects
- Domenico Ferrata (1908–1914)
- Filippo GiustiniFilippo GiustiniFilippo Giustini was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Congregation for the Discipline of the Sacraments from 1914 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1914....
(1914–1920) - Michele LegaMichele LegaMichele Lega S.T.D. J.U.D. was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Congregation for the Discipline of Sacraments....
(1920–1935) - Domenico JorioDomenico JorioDomenico Jorio S.T.D. J.U.D. was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Congregation for Discipline of Sacraments.Domenico Jorio was born in Villa Santo Stefano, Italy...
(1935–1954) - Benedetto Aloisi MasellaBenedetto Aloisi MasellaBenedetto Aloisi Masella was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Discipline of the Sacraments from 1954 to 1968, and as Chamberlain of the Roman Church from 1958 until his death...
(1954–1968) - Francesco CarpinoFrancesco CarpinoFrancesco Carpino S.T.D. was a Roman Catholic Cardinal and Archbishop of Palermo.He was born in Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily, Italy as the third of five children of Salvatore Carpino, who was the owner of a small rural estate. He was educated at the Seminary of Noto from 1914 to 1919...
(7 Apr 1967 - 26 Jun 1967) - Francis James Brennan (1968)
- Antonio Samoré (1968–1974)
- James KnoxJames KnoxJames Robert Knox was a Roman Catholic cardinal and former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments....
(1974–1981) - Giuseppe CasoriaGiuseppe CasoriaGiuseppe Casoria was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Congregation for Sacraments and Divine Worship from 1981 to 1984, and elevated to the cardinalate in 1983....
, (pro-prefect 1981-1983, prefect 1983-1984) - Paul Mayer (pro-prefect 1984-1985, prefect 1985-1988)
- Eduardo Martínez SomaloEduardo Martínez SomaloEduardo Martínez Somalo is a Spanish Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.-Early life and ordination:Martínez Somalo was born in the small town of Baños de Río Tobía in La Rioja, Spain, and had five brothers and four sisters...
(1988–1992) - Antonio María Javierre OrtasAntonio María Javierre OrtasAntonio María Javierre Ortas S.D.B. was a cardinal of the Catholic Church, and former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in the Vatican....
(1992–1996) - Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez (pro-prefect 1996-1998, prefect 1998-2002)
- Francis Arinze (2002–2008)
- Antonio Cañizares Llovera (2008- )
Secretary
- Domenico SorrentinoDomenico SorrentinoArchbishop Domenico Sorrentino is an Italian Catholic archbishop.He was born at Boscoreale near Nola, outside Naples in Italy, in 1948...
(2003–2005) - Malcolm RanjithMalcolm RanjithAlbert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don , often known simply as Malcolm Ranjith or Albert Malcolm Ranjith is a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church who serves as the de facto primate of Sri Lanka...
(2005–2009) - Joseph Augustine Di NoiaJoseph Augustine Di NoiaJoseph Augustine Di Noia, O.P., is an American archbishop and theologian; he is a prominent member of the Roman Curia, becoming successively Under-Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the...
(2009-)
Vox Clara commission
The congregation is also assisted by the Vox Clara commission (or committee) responsible for the translation of LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
texts into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. This commission was established during 2001 to supervise the work of ICEL
International Commission on English in the Liturgy
The International Commission on English in the Liturgy is a commission set up by a number of episcopal conferences of English-speaking countries for the purpose of providing English translations of the liturgical books of the Roman Rite, the originals of which are in Latin.Decisions to adopt these...
on the new Roman Missal until the text was submitted to them in 2008.
Vox Clara met several times a year for three days at a time.
Its current president is the archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
George Pell
George Pell
George Pell AC is an Australian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the eighth and current Archbishop of Sydney, serving since 2001. He previously served as auxiliary bishop and archbishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne...
, and its secretary is the archbishop emeritus of Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
, Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Cormac Murphy-O'Connor.
See also
- Musicam SacramMusicam SacramMusicam Sacram is the title of an instruction on Roman Catholic Sacred Music issued by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship on March 5, 1967, in conjunction with the Second Vatican Council....
- Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
- NotitiaeNotitiaeNotitiae, subtitled Commentarii ad nuntia de re liturgica edenda, is the official monthly journal of the Vatican dicastery Congregatio de Cultu Divino...
, the congregation's official journal