Pastor Bonus

Pastor Bonus ( PB; Latin: The Good Shepherd ), the currently valid Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia, it was adopted June 28, 1988 by Pope John Paul II. This is a law in accordance with an external effect. cc. 7 ff, c. 12 § 1 CIC.

Essentially, a reorganization, renaming and reorganization of the Roman Curia is committed. Some congregations get new definitions, others will be restructured and Pontifical Councils and Commissions receive new work instructions. Also the task of bishops is redefined, the visiting arrangements for bishops to Rome is regulated and arranged, and clarifies the relationship of the Pope to the Roman Curia.

When renewing the constitution allowed the inclusion of elected members of a parish council, deacons and church lay people and gave them a say. The Constitution Pastor Bonus, continued the opening of a central government of the Church, which had been anticipated by the Decree Christus Dominus, the Second Vatican Council.

Quaerit semper

With the Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio, Pope Benedict XVI. 30 August 2011 a number of changes to the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus. The explanatory memorandum states:

" ... Some responsibilities have been transferred from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on a furnished at the Tribunal of the Roman Rota new Office of the processes for granting dispensation in a valid, but not consummated marriage and for the consecration of nullity. "

Reform of the Curia

With the mission to prepare amendments to the Constitution, Pope Francis has set up a group of eight cardinals in April 2013. Members are following cardinals: Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello (President of the Vatican Governorate ), Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa (former Archbishop of Santiago de Chile), Oswald Gracias ( Archbishop of Bombay ), Reinhard Marx ( Archbishop of Munich and Freising ), Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya ( Archbishop of Kinshasa), Sean Patrick O'Malley ( Archbishop of Boston), George Pell ( Archbishop of Sydney ) and Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga ( Archbishop of Teguicigalpa ). As secretary of the Group Marcello Semeraro ( Bishop of Albano ) was determined. With a papal letter of 29 September 2013, the Panel was raised as Kardinalsrat to become permanent, to be with the task, " the Holy Father with the government of the universal Church help " " and with it a revision project for the Apostolic Constitution " Pastor Bonus " on the Roman Curia " to prepare.