Vatican’s Big Shake‑Up
On Saturday, March 19, Pope Francis rolled out a new constitution that could see a woman, a man, or even a grandma lead almost any Vatican department. Picture this: the Curia, long run by men in suits, now opens its doors to anyone with a name on the sacramental register.
Why the Change?
- For over a century the top spots have been reserved for cardinals and bishops.
- Now, ordained ministers are no longer the sole evangelisers; the lay flock can join the corporate governance band.
Le Praedicate Evangelium – “Preach the Gospel”
Released to mark Pope Francis’s ninth year at the helm, this 54‑page charter crashes the old 1988 format. It says:
“Any member of the faithful can head a dicastery or organism if the pope sees fit.”
So the next time the Pope decides to appoint someone, it won’t matter if they’re a cardinal‑clown, a humble parish priest, or a weekend choir director.
What’s Still Stuck in Traditional Gears?
- Only men can be priests in the Catholic Church, so the Departments for Bishops and the Clergy will stay led by men.
- The Department for Consecrated Life, which keeps the religious orders in line, could see a nun at its helm someday.
Back in 2018, the Pope even had a shortlist of a woman for a Vatican economic post—she just had to put her life on hold for personal reasons. Now, with the new charter, that shortlist could become reality.
In short, the Pope’s new fare is all about opening the Holy See’s inner circle, giving lay people a ticket to the Vatican boardroom, and proving that even centuries-old institutions can get a dose of fresh, inclusive leadership.
Role of laity ‘essential’
How Pope Francis is Redesigning the Vatican’s Bureaucracy
Lay Catholics: The Unexpected Superstars
The newly inked constitution makes lay Catholics indispensable in the Curia, citing their “deep knowledge of family life” and the “touchstones of everyday social reality.” Think of them as the Vatican’s own reality‑check squad.
Re‑engineering the Archipelago
Francis didn’t just tweak a few titles—he merged offices, birthed a charity‑watchdog unit, and shuffled the hierarchy’s deck. The goal? A leaner, more compassionate administrative gang.
Commission for the Protection of Minors
- Now sits inside the doctrinal department that hands out penalties for priests embroiled in abuse scandals.
- While this gives the Commission more clout, Marie Collins, one of its original members, warns that “this could sap its independence.”
Doctrinal vs. Evangelisation
- Secretariat of State remains the knight in shining armor: the top administrative, coordinating and diplomatic hub.
- But, the age‑old doctrinal office now slides below the evangelisation department, the one Pope Francis now personally chairs—because spreading the faith is clearly his blockbuster priority.
Voting for Women and Other Lay Legends
- Sister Raffaella Petrini was bumped to the second‑rank spot in Vatican City’s governance—crowning her as the world’s tallest woman in the tiniest country.
- Italian nun Sister Alessandra Smerilli got a temporary stamp as secretary of the Vatican’s development office, tackling justice and peace.
- Nathalie Becquart, a French missionary from the Xaviere Sisters, took up the role of co‑undersecretary for the Synod of Bishops, guiding global bishops every few years.
Bottom line: Pope Francis is flipping the script by empowering lay folks, especially women, and giving the Church a fresh organizational heartbeat.
