CATHOLIC HIERARCHY IN THE WORLD
The Catholic
Hierarchy in the world is grouped under the following heads:
Supreme Pontiff Vicariates
Apostolic
College of Cardinals Prefectures
Apostolic
Patriarchates Missions Sui
Juris
Archdioceses and Dioceses Apostolic
Administrations
Titular Sees Military
Ordinariates
Territorial Prelatures Synod of
Bishops
Territorial Abbacies Episcopal
Conferences
Apostolic Exarchates &
Ordinariates Custody of Holy
Land
SUPREME ROMAN PONTIFF
St.
Peter of Bethsaida in Galilee, Prince of the Apostles, who received from Jesus
Christ the Supreme Pontifical Power to be transmitted to his successors,
resided first at Antioch, then for twenty five years at Rome, where he was
martyred in the year 64, or 65 on the common reckoning.
There have been 264 Popes so far.
Our present Pope is Pope John Paul II. He is the 264th Pope in the
history of the Universal Catholic Church.
JOHN PAUL II (KAROL WOJTYLA)
He is the Bishop of Rome and Vicar
of Jesus Christ, 264th successor of St. Peter, Prince of the
apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the west,
Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign
of the state of the Vatican City.
VATICAN CITY
By virtue of the Concordat signed on Feb 11,1929, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, and ratified on June 7th of the same year in the Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus, the complete and independent authority of the Pope to rule in his own possession was recognized by the Italian State. The territorial possession of the Holy Father was called Vatican City and within its limit the sovereign pontiff’s authority is recognized as supreme.
The sovereign of this small state is
His Holiness the Pope. The government is presently administered by the
Pontifical Office.
COLLEGE OF CARDINALS
The Cardinals as the advisers and
assistants of the sovereign Pontiff in the government of the Church are chosen
by the Pope. Since the 12th century they have been constituted as a
college, they form the supreme council or the senate of the Supreme Pontiff and
on his death, it is they who elect his successor.
There are three divisions or orders
of the cardinals:
(a)
Cardinal Bishops are the Bishops of the seven
“Suburbicarian Sees”, viz. the dioceses that adjoin the city of Rome.
(b)
Cardinal
Priests, formerly the Rectors of the ancient “titular Churches” of Rome,
are now in fact Archbishops or Bishops,
mostly with dioceses outside Rome and thus, not resident in the Curia.
(c)
Cardinal Deacons, formerly the deacons in the regional
divisions of Rome, are now Bishops holding important posts in the Roman Curia.
The
first Cardinal Bishop is the Dean of the Sacred College, and is always the
Bishop of Ostia. The number of Cardinals was fixed by Sixtus V in 1586 as
seventy (six Bishops, fifty Priests, and fourteen Deacons). Paul VI determined
by the Apostolic Constitutions Romani Pontifici Eligendo, dated 1st
October 1975, that the maximum number of Cardinals who elect the Pope must not
exceed 120. None of them, at the moment of entry into the conclave, should have
passed their 80th birthday. There are around 147 Cardinals in the
Catholic Church of the world.
ROMAN CURIA
In the exercise of his responsibilities
for the Universal Church the Holy Father is assisted by various bodies, which
constitute the Roman Curia. There are at present, besides the secretariat of
state, which is, so to say the Central Coordination Organ, 9 Congregations, 3
Tribunals, 9 Pontifical Councils, 3 Offices and various Commissions and
Committees which I have mentioned the important ones.
SECRETARIAT OF STATE
By the
Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus of 28th June 1988, Pope John Paul II
reformed the secretariat of state dividing into two sections, the section for
general affairs and the section for the Relations with the states, the latter
assuming the functions of the former council for the Public Affairs in the
Church.
The
first section is meant to assist the Pope in the daily government of the
Universal Church and his relations with the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, as
well as Office of Statistics.
The
second section handles the relations of the Holy See with the countries of the
world and with the International Organizations. Cardinal Angelo Nodano is the
Secretary the State.
CONGREGATIONS
1. Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith:
Its competence comprises all matters
pertaining to Faith and morals. The Congregations act as a tribunal when
dealing with matters, which by law require judicial proceeding. The Prefect is
Joseph Ratzinger and Secretary Archbishop Alberto Boroke.
(ii)
Congregation for the Oriental Churches:
It has
justification over matters regarding the Catholic Oriental Churches excepting
those that belong to the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.
The
Oriental Rites of the Church are the following: I. Alexandrian Rite (Coptic,
Ethiopian Churches). II. Rite of the Antioch or West, Syrian Rite
(Syro-Malankara, Maronite, Syrian Churches). III. Byzantine Rite (Albanian,
Belorussian, Bulgarian, Greek, Melkite, Italo Albanian, Romanian, Russian,
Ruthesian, Slovak, Ukrainian, Hungarian Churches), IV. Chaldean or East Syrian
Rite (Chaldean, Syro-Malabar Churches). V. Armenian Rite. This Congregation has
Prefect Cardinal Achille Silvestrini and Secretary Archbishop Miroslav Stefan
Marusyn.
3.
Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments:
It deals
with all matters regarding Divine Worship, as the revision and preparation of
liturgical texts and rites, the approval of liturgical calendars, the
interpretation of norms and rubrics of the liturgical books. The Congregation
has Commissions for cases of nullity of the Sacred Ordinations, for the
dispensation from the obligations of the dioconate and the priesthood, for the
dispensation of ratum non-consummatum marriages. The Prefect is Cardinal
Antonio Maria Ortas and Secretary Archbishop Angelo Geranldo M.
4.
Congregation for the Causes of Saints:
For the
Oriental Churches or the Evangelization of People, this discastery deals with
the errection of Dioceses and appointment of Bishops, also with all matters
that concern the person of the Bishop and the state of the Diocese as well as
with Provincial councils and Episcopal conferences. It deals with everything
connected with the Beatification and Canonization of Saints. The Prefect is
Cardinal Angelo FELICI , Secretary Archbishop Edward Nowak and under secretary
Msgr. Michele Di Ruberto.
5.
Congregations for Bishops:
In
Countries not under the congregation for the Oriental Churches or the Evangelization
of people, this discastery deals with the errection of dioceses and appointment
of Bishops, also with all matters that concern the person of Bishop and the
state of the diocese as well as with provincial councils and Episcopal
conferences.
The
Congregation has special offices for the Military Ordinaries and for the
coordination of the Ad Limina visits of the Bishops. Its prefect is
Cardinal Bernardin GANTIN , secretary Archbishop Justin F. Rigali and under
secretary Msgr. Giovanni Maria Rossi.
6. Congregation
for the Evangelization of the People:
This
Congregation has exclusive and full jurisdiction over the ecclesiastical
territories that fall under the Decree of Ad Gentes except in matters
belonging to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, for the causes of the
saints, for the Oriental Churches, for Catholic education concerning Catholic
Universities and for the divine worship and the Sacraments regarding
matrimonial cases Super rato et non consummato and liturgical question.
The Religious come under this Congregation as far as they are missionaries. The
Prefect is Cardinal Jozef Tomko, secretary Archbishop Giuseppe Uhae and under
secretary Rev. Fr. Charles A. Schleck.
7.
Congregation for the Clergy:
Its
function regards the clergy; it deals with all matters concerning the
apostolate and all its aspects. It approves catechetical and pastoral
directories and issues, norms for the instruction of the faithful. The Congrua
Sustentatio of the clergy comes under the responsibility of this Congregation.
The Prefect is Cardinal Jose T. Sanchel, secretary Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe
and under secretary Msgr. Milan Simcic.
8.
Congregation for the Institute of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic
Life:
This
Congregation handles all matters concerning Religious and similar Institutes.
This Congregation has no territorial limits, certain matters it refers to other
Congregations. The Prefect is Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, secretary
Archbishop Francisco Javier Errazuruz Ossa and under secretary Msgr. Juan Jose
Dossoviroso Allo.
9.
Congregation for Catholic Education (For Seminaries and Educational
Institution):
The
competence of this Congregation regards the errection and running of the
seminaries, formation houses of Religious and Secular Institutes, the Catholic
Universities and institute of higher education; it grants the faculty to confer
academic degrees. Also the Catholic schools up to the pre-university, the
Congregation for evangelization come under its jurisdiction. The prefect is
Cardinal Pio Laghi, secretary Archbishop Jose Saraiva Martins and under
secretary Msgr. Giuseppe Baldauza.
TRIBUNALS
1.
Apostolic Penitentiary:
This
tribunal has jurisdiction over cases of conscience Sacramental and internal
non-Sacramental forum. It decided matters relating to indulgence. The major
Penitentiary is Cardinal William Wakefield Baum and Regent Msgr. Luigi De
Magistris.
2.
Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature:
This
Supreme tribunal of Roman Curia hears pleas of nullity against sentences of the
Rota and for a new trial. It watches over the administration of justice in the
diocesan courts. The Prefect is Archbishop Gilberto Agustoni and secretary
Archbishop Zenon Grocholewski.
3.
Tribunal of the Roman Rota:
The Rota
is mainly a court of appeal (can. 1444). It handles cases by the tribunal of
the Bishops and deferred to the Holy See by a legitimate appeal in third and
ultimate instance, also cases already treated in appeal by the same Rota or by
another ecclesiastical court of appeal.
The Rota
is also court of appeal for the Ecclesiastical tribunal of the Vatican City
(Motu Proprio Ouo Civium, 21 November 1987, art. 7).
PONTIFICAL COUNCILS
1.
Pontifical Council for the Laity:
The
Dicastery is competent for the apostolate of the laity that is for its
participation in the mission of the Church, as members of associations and as
individual faithful.
2.
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian
Unity:
It is
entrusted with the fostering of Christian Unity.
3.
Pontifical Council for the Family:
Established
by Pope Paul VI with the purpose of promoting the spiritual, moral and social
values of the family.
4.
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace:
The
Council is entrusted with the fostering of justice and peace in conformity with
the Gospel and Social Doctrine of the Church.
5. Pontifical Council Cor Unum:
Its aim
is to frame and coordinate Christian Charity and development efforts.
6. Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of
the Migrants and Itinerant People:
It
renders pastoral assistance to migrants and tourists (apostolate of sea, air,
nomads, tourists and refugees.
7.
Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Assistance
to Health Care Workers:
Established
by John Paul II by the Motu Proprio Doletuim Hominum of 11 Feb 1985, it
is meant to promote the work of various Catholic Organizations operating in the
medical field; to propagate and implement the teaching of the Church of these
areas.
8.
Pontifical Council for Interpretation of
Legislative texts:
Founded
by John Paul II in 1984, its role is to interpret the canons of the codes of
Canon Law and other legal texts.
9.
Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue:
It
promotes the relations of the Church with Non-Christian Religions.
CATHOLIC HIERARCHY IN INDIA
The
Catholic Hierarchy of India was established through the promulgation of the
Bull Humanae Salutis by Pope Leo XIII on October 1, 1886. As a result of these
papal Decrees, six units were created as Archdioceses (Agra, Bombay, Calcutta,
Madras, Pondicherry and Verapoly). 10 units were created as diocese (
Allahabad, Cochin, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Krishnagar, Mysorem Pune, Quilone,
Tiruchirapally and Vishakapatnam) and Patna continued to function as a
Vicariate. Thus when the hierarchy was constituted in 1886 there were 17
ecclesiastical units under propaganda and two units, the Archdiocese of Goa and
the diocese of Mylapore under padroado.
HISTORICAL NOTE OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHURCHES
IN INDIA
The
Indian Church is the communion of three individual Churches: Latin,
Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara. The Apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II of
May 27, 1987, to the Bishops of India paved the way for starting three
Episcopal Bodies in India. The CBCI continues to function “for questions common
concern and of a national and Supraritual character as specified in the papal
letter”.
CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
OF INDIA (CCBI – LT)
The
Latin Church in India traces its origin to the western missionaries in the 13th
century A.D. and established to the arrival of the Portuguese Missionaries in
India in the 16th century A.D. The Catholic hierarchy of India was
established on Oct 1, 1886 by Pope Leo XIII through the promulgation of Bull Humanae
Salutis. CCBI is the Episcopal Body of the Latin Rite in India. All the
dioceses other than Syro-Malankara and Syro-Malabar are Latin Rite.
THE
SYRO-MALABAR CHURCH
The
Syro-Malabar Church traces its origin to St. Thomas the apostle, who according
to tradition, came to India in 52 A.D., its members being called St. Thomas
Christians. It is one of the four Oriental Churches having in the common the
East Syrian Liturgical tradition, others being those of Edessa Seleucia-
Ctesiphen and Persia. On account of the common heritage the Syro-Malabar Church
continued its hierarchical relations with the Chaldean Churches under the
Catholicate of Seleucia- Ctesiphon. The Episcopal Body is the Synod of
Syro-Malabar Church. The Archbishop major is His Eminence Antony Cardinal
Padiyara. There are 20 dioceses under the Syro-Malabar Rite. These are the
following: Bijnor, Chanda, Changanacherry, Ernakulam, Gorakhpur, Irinjalakuda,
Jagdalpur, Kalyan, Kanjirappally, Kothamangalam, Kottayam, Mananthavady, Palai,
Palghat, Sagar, Satna, Tellicherry, Thamarassery, Trichur and Ujjain.
THE
SYRO-MALANKARA CHURCH
The St.
Thomas Christian community founded in India by the year 52 A.D. was further
strengthened by a group of Christians immigrated from Persia in 345 A.D.,
paving the way for further relationships with the Churches in the Persian
Empire, some of which were founded by close disciples of St. Thomas. Hence both
the Church in India and those of Persia were in close relationship with each
other and in communion with other early communities. The Episcopal Body is
Syro-Malankara Bishops Conference for the Syro-Malankara Rite. The dioceses
under the Syro-Malankara Rite are Bathery, Tiruvalla and Trivandrum.
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