Congregation (Roman Curia)

The Congregation , or the Holy Congregation ( lat. Sacrum Congregatio ), is an institution that is part of the Roman Curia , which is the central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican . Roman congregations are peculiar Vatican "ministries", the main departments of the curia.

Congregations were first created in the sixteenth century, but only in the apostolic constitution of Immensa , issued by Pope Sixtus V , did they become the central governing bodies of the Roman Curia. Initially, there were fifteen, but gradually their number increased to twenty. In 1908, Pius X issued the apostolic constitution Sapienti consilio , in which he reduced the number of congregations to twelve. In the years 1967-1968, Paul VI reduced them to nine. This number still exists.

Until 1983, the congregations were called "Sacred." But John Paul II abolished this name. The congregation is headed by a prefect who is assisted by a secretary or vice-prefect with the rank of titular bishop or titular archbishop . There is also a position of deputy secretary. Each congregation has its own approved staff. The position of the prefect of the congregation is cardinal, that is, the prefect who heads the congregation must be a cardinal, with rare exceptions.

Congregations of the Roman Curia today:

• Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith ;
• Congregation for Bishops ;
• Clergy Congregation ;
• Congregation for the Affairs of the Eastern Churches ;
• Congregation of the Evangelization of Nations ;
• Congregation for Catholic Education ;
• Congregation for the canonization of saints ;
• Congregation for the worship and discipline of the sacraments ;
• Congregation for the Institutions of the Consecrated Life and Apostolic Life Societies .