Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
Encyclopedia
The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is the congregation
of the Roman Curia
responsible for everything which concerns institutes of consecrated life
(orders and religious congregations, both of men and of women, secular institute
s) and Society of Apostolic Life
regarding their government, discipline, studies, goods, rights, and privileges.
The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has its origins in the "Sacred Congregation for Consultations about Regulars" founded by Pope Sixtus V
on May 27, 1586. its name was changed in 1908 to the Congregation of the Affairs of Religious, its name was again changed to the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes in 1967 by Pope Paul VI
and finally to its current name by Pope John Paul II
.
The current Prefect is Archbishop João Bráz de Aviz
. The current Secretary is Archbishop Joseph William Tobin
, C.SS.R., who was the former superior-general of the Redemptorists. There are two Undersecretaries of the Congregation, Sister Enrica Rosanna, F.M.A. (the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in any post of the Roman Curia
), and Father Sebastiano Paciolla, O.Cist.
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...
responsible for everything which concerns institutes of consecrated life
Institute of Consecrated Life
Institutes of consecrated life are canonically erected institutes in the Roman Catholic Church whose members profess the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience by vows or other sacred bonds...
(orders and religious congregations, both of men and of women, secular institute
Secular institute
In the Roman Catholic Church, a secular institute is an organization of individuals who are consecrated persons – professing the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience – while living in the world, unlike members of a religious order who live in community. It is one of the...
s) and Society of Apostolic Life
Society of Apostolic Life
A society of apostolic life is a group of men or women within the Catholic Church who have come together for a specific purpose. Unlike members of an institute of consecrated life , members of apostolic societies do not make religious vows...
regarding their government, discipline, studies, goods, rights, and privileges.
The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has its origins in the "Sacred Congregation for Consultations about Regulars" founded by Pope Sixtus V
Pope Sixtus V
Pope Sixtus V , born Felice Peretti di Montalto, was Pope from 1585 to 1590.-Early life:The chronicler Andrija Zmajević states that Felice's family originated from modern-day Montenegro...
on May 27, 1586. its name was changed in 1908 to the Congregation of the Affairs of Religious, its name was again changed to the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes in 1967 by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
and finally to its current name 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 ...
.
The current Prefect is Archbishop João Bráz de Aviz
João Bráz de Aviz
João Bráz de Aviz is the current prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 4 January 2011....
. The current Secretary is Archbishop Joseph William Tobin
Joseph William Tobin
Joseph William Tobin C.Ss.R is the current secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 2 August 2010....
, C.SS.R., who was the former superior-general of the Redemptorists. There are two Undersecretaries of the Congregation, Sister Enrica Rosanna, F.M.A. (the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in any post 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...
), and Father Sebastiano Paciolla, O.Cist.
Cardinal Prefects since 1899
- Girolamo Maria GottiGirolamo Maria GottiGirolamo Maria Gotti, O.C.D. , sometimes erroneously called Giuseppe Gotti, was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church....
, OCDDiscalced CarmelitesThe Discalced Carmelites, or Barefoot Carmelites, is a Catholic mendicant order with roots in the eremitic tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers...
(1899–1902) - José Calassanç Vives y TutoJosé Calassanç Vives y TutoJosé Calassanç Vives y Tuto OFM Cap was an influential Spanish Roman Catholic theologian, member of the Capuchin friars and from June 19, 1899 also cardinal. He was well known for his conservative position.- External links :...
, OFM CapOrder of Friars Minor CapuchinThe Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
(1908–1913) - Ottavio Cagiano de AzevedoOttavio Cagiano de AzevedoOttavio Cagiano de Azevedo was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Religious from 1913 to 1915, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1905.-Biography:...
(1913–1915) - Domenico Serafini, OSBOrder of Saint BenedictThe Order of Saint Benedict is a Roman Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of St. Benedict. Within the order, each individual community maintains its own autonomy, while the organization as a whole exists to represent their mutual interests...
(1916) - Diomede FalconioDiomede FalconioDiomede Angelo Raffaele Gennaro Falconio, OFM was an Italian Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Congregation for Religious from 1916 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1911.-Biography:Diomede Falconio was born in Pescocostanzo as one of the five...
, OFMFranciscanMost Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
(1916–1917) - Giulio TontiGiulio TontiGiulio Tonti was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Religious from 1917 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1915.-Biography:...
(1917–1918) - Raffaele Scapinelli di LéguignoRaffaele Scapinelli di LéguignoRaffaele Scapinelli di Leguigno was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Congregation of the Affairs of Religious from 1918 to 1920, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1915....
(1918–1920) - Teodoro Valfre di BonzoTeodoro Valfre di BonzoTeodoro Valfre di Bonzo J.C.D. S.T.D. was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and was former Prefect of Sacred Congregation of Religious....
(1920–1922) - Camillo LaurentiCamillo LaurentiCamillo Laurenti was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites from 1929 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1921.-Biography:...
(1922–1928) - Alexis LépicierAlexis LépicierAlexis-Henri-Marie Lépicier OSM was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who was Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Religious....
, OSMServite OrderThe Servite Order is one of the five original Catholic mendicant orders. Its objects are the sanctification of its members, preaching the Gospel, and the propagation of devotion to the Mother of God, with special reference to her sorrows. The members of the Order use O.S.M. as their post-nominal...
(1928–1935) - Vincenzo LapumaVincenzo LapumaVincenzo Lapuma was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of Sacred Congregation for Religious from 1935 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1935.-Biography:...
(1935–1943) - Luigi LavitranoLuigi LavitranoLuigi Lavitrano was an Italian Cardinal of the Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Palermo from 1928 to 1944, and as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Religious from 1945 until his death...
(1945–1950) - Clemente MicaraClemente MicaraClemente Micara was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Vicar General of Rome from 1951 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1946.-Biography:...
(1950–1953) - Valerio ValeriValerio ValeriValerio Valeri was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Religious in the Roman Curia from 1953 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1953 by Pope Pius XII.President Charles de Gaulle insisted that Valeri be removed...
(1953–1963) - Ildebrando AntoniuttiIldebrando AntoniuttiIldebrando Antoniutti was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Congregation for Religious from 1963 to 1973, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1962.-Biography:...
(1963–1973) - Arturo Tabera AraozArturo Tabera AraozArturo Tabera Araoz J.C.D. was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes....
, CMFCongregations of the Heart of MaryCongregation of the Heart of Mary is a name that applies to various Roman Catholic religious Congregations, most of them for women.*The Sisters of the Holy Heart of Mary were founded in 1842 at Nancy, by Alexis-Basile-Alexandre Menjaud, later Bishop of Nancy and Toul, for the purpose of instructing...
(1973–1975) - Eduardo Francisco PironioEduardo Francisco PironioEduardo Francisco Pironio, Servant of God was a Roman Catholic Cardinal-Bishop. On 30 June 2006 the Diocese of Rome began requesting testimonies about the life and sanctity of Cardinal Pironio.-Early life:...
(pro-prefect 1975–1976, prefect 1976–1984) - Jean Jérôme HamerJean Jérôme HamerJean Jérôme Hamer, OP, S.T.D. was a Belgian Cardinal who was Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life from 1985 until 1992....
, OPDominican OrderThe Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
(pro-prefect 1984–1985, prefect 1985–1992) - 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...
(1992–2004) - Franc Rode, CMLazaristsCongregation of the Mission is a vowed order of priests and brothers associated with the Vincentian Family, a loose federation of organizations who claim St. Vincent de Paul as their founder or Patron...
(2004–2011) - João Bráz de AvizJoão Bráz de AvizJoão Bráz de Aviz is the current prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 4 January 2011....
(2011–present)
Secretaries since 1899
- Donato Sbarretti (1910–1016)
- Adolfo Turchi (1916–1918)
- Mauro Serafini (1918–1925)
- Vincenzo LapumaVincenzo LapumaVincenzo Lapuma was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of Sacred Congregation for Religious from 1935 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1935.-Biography:...
(1925–1935) - Luca Ermenegildo Pasetto (1935–1950)
- Arcadio Larraona SaraleguiArcadio Larraona SaraleguiArcadio María Larraona Saralegui, CMF was a Spanish Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites from 1962 to 1968, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1959.-Biography:...
, CMFCongregations of the Heart of MaryCongregation of the Heart of Mary is a name that applies to various Roman Catholic religious Congregations, most of them for women.*The Sisters of the Holy Heart of Mary were founded in 1842 at Nancy, by Alexis-Basile-Alexandre Menjaud, later Bishop of Nancy and Toul, for the purpose of instructing...
(1950–1959) - Paul-Pierre PhilippePaul-Pierre PhilippePaul-Pierre Philippe O.P. was a Cardinal and Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in the Roman Catholic Church....
, OPDominican OrderThe Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
(1959–1967) - Antonio Mauro (1967–1969)
- Edward Louis Heston, CSCCongregation of Holy CrossThe Congregation of Holy Cross or Congregatio a Sancta Cruce is a Catholic congregation of priests and brothers founded in 1837 by Blessed Father Basil Anthony-Marie Moreau, CSC, in Le Mans, France....
(1969–1971) - Paul Augustin Mayer, OSBOrder of Saint BenedictThe Order of Saint Benedict is a Roman Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of St. Benedict. Within the order, each individual community maintains its own autonomy, while the organization as a whole exists to represent their mutual interests...
(1971–1984) - Vincenzo FagioloVincenzo FagioloVincenzo Fagiolo S.T.D. J.C.D. was an Italian righteous among the nations, a Cardinal, and from 1990 until 1994 President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts....
(1984–1990) - Francisco Javier Errázuriz Ossa, P.SchönstattSchoenstatt MovementThe Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt is a Roman Catholic Marian Movement founded in Germany in 1914 by Father Joseph Kentenich. Fr. Kentenich saw the movement as being a means of spiritual renewal in the Catholic Church...
(1990–1996) - Piergiorgio NestiPiergiorgio NestiPiergiorgio Silvano Nesti was an Italian Roman Catholic archbishop.Ordained on August 30, 1959, Nesti was appointed archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche on July 23, 1993 and was ordained bishop on August 30, 1993...
, CPPassionistThe Passionists are a Roman Catholic religious order founded by Saint Paul of the Cross . Professed members use the initials C.P. after their names.-History:St...
(1996–2006) - Gianfranco GardinGianfranco GardinGianfranco Agostino Gardin, O.F.M. Conv. is Archbishop-Bishop of TrevisoGardin was born at San Polo di Piave, in the Province of Treviso, Italy. In 1946, when he was about two years old, his family moved to Venice, where he grew up....
, OFM Conv.Conventual FranciscansThe Order of Friars Minor Conventual , commonly known as the Conventual Franciscans, is a branch of the order of Catholic Friars founded by Francis of Assisi in 1209.-History:...
(2006–2009) - Joseph William TobinJoseph William TobinJoseph William Tobin C.Ss.R is the current secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 2 August 2010....
, C.SS.R. (2010–present)