General regulation of the Roman Curia


GENERAL REGULATION

of the

ROMAN CURIA



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GENERAL REGULATION
OF THE

ROMAN CURIA

The General Regulation was approved by

Pope Paul VI during an audience

given to the Cardinal Secretary of State

on February 22, 1968

United States Catholic Conference
1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D. C. 20005





GENERAL REGULATION
OF THE

ROMAN CURIA

PART ONE: PERSONNEL

TITLE I—GENERAL AND ORGANIC DIRECTION
Chapter I: General direction

Article 1

The Roman Curia is composed of the following dicasteries:
the Secretariat of State or Papal Secretariat and the Council (Sacred

Congregation) for Public Ecclesiastical Affairs, Sacred Congrega-

tions, Tribunals, Offices, Secretariats, the Council of the Laity and

the Commission of Study on “Justice and Peace,” according to the

norms of the Constitution Regimini Ecclesiae Universae, No. 1,

paragraph 1.

Article 2

1. To each dicastery there is assigned one cardinal, who is

assisted by a superior prelate, who has the immediate direction in

the office, and by major and minor officials.

1



2. Superior prelates are divided into two classes:

First class: The Substitute Secretary of State; the Secretary

of the Council for Public Ecclesiastical Affairs; the Secretaries of

the Sacred Congregations, the Secretary of the Supreme Tribunal

of the Apostolic Signature; the Prelate Secretary of the Prefecture

of Economic Affairs of the Holy See, the Secretary of the Admin-

istration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.

Second class: The Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary; the

Regent of the Apostolic Chancellery; the Prefect of the Apostolic

Palace, the Secretaries of the three Secretariats, of the Council of

the Laity and of the Pontifical Commission “Justice and Peace.”

3. In the Sacred Roman Rota the functions of the superior
prelate are exercised by the dean, and, when he is impeded, by the

auditor who follows immediately in order of seniority. Extraordi-
nary provisions are entrusted to the College of Auditors.

4. Superior prelates of the dicasteries of the Holy See of the

same class are equal among themselves in the dignity of office and

in remuneration.

Chapter II: Personnel structure and distinction

Article 3

1
. ( 1 ) The number of major and minor officials working in

each dicastery is established by the personnel lists registered with

the pertinent administration.

(2) The personnel lists, their updating and eventual

modifications are worked out by the individual dicasteries and pre-

sented to the Secretariat of State which in turn submits them to the

Holy Father for approval and then hands them over to the relative

administration.

( 3 ) Once approved, the lists must be respected by all and

do not admit unforeseen additions of personnel without the express

and prior pontifical approval.

2



2. The major officials are divided into two classes:

First class: The Assessor of the Secretariat of State; under-

secretaries; delegates of the two sections of the Administration of

the Patrimony of the Apostolic See; the Auditor General and the

Promoter General of the Faith of the Sacred Congregation of Rites;

the Promoters of Justice of the Sacred Congregation for the Doc-

trine of the Faith and of the Tribunal of the Sacred Roman Rota;
the Defenders of the Bond of the Tribunal of the Sacred Roman
Rota and the Relator General of the Sacred Congregation of Rites.

Second class: Subpromotor General of the Faith of the Sacred

Congregation of Rites; the Substitute Promotors of Justice and

Defenders of the Bond of the Sacred Roman Rota; the Regent of
the Prefecture of the Apostolic Palace; the directors and heads of

the offices into which the various dicasteries are subdivided, accord-

ing to their own internal regulations; the delegates of the Secretariat
for the Union of Christians.

3. The minor officials are of three grades, each subdivided into

first and second classes

:

First grade—Academic qualification: degree or equivalent
university title, Minutanti or the equivalent; Aiutanti; Notaries of

the Tribunals; attaches of the Prefecture of the Apostolic Palace.

Second grade—With degree or specialized diploma: Attaches
or the equivalent; archivists; administrative attaches; technicians of

the Central Office of Statistics.

Third grade—With diploma: Scribes or the equivalent; pro-
tocollists; mail clerks, distributors.

4. ( 1 ) The Prefecture of Economic Affairs, the two sections

of the Administration of the Apostolic See, other autonomous

administrations, the Sacred Roman Rota, the Apostolic Library
and the Secret Vatican Archives have their own personnel structure,
which however must not differ substantially from the others.

(2) The Promoter General of Justice and the Defender

of the Bond of the Apostolic Signature are considered equal to

3



the Auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota in dignity of office and
remuneration.

(3) The Secretariat of State and the Council for Public
Ecclesiastical Affairs also have their own personnel structure, sub-
stantially not differing from the others, both for those in the

diplomatic service and for those in the administrative duty.

(4) Persons in the diplomatic service depend on the

Secretariat of State for their appointments, promotions, discipline,

leaves of absence whether foreign or detached, and transfers. The

Secretariat acts in accord with the Council for Public Ecclesiastical

Affairs regarding the preparatory documents of nomination, trans-

fers and leaves of absence of heads of mission, as well as for the

appointment and transfer of subaltern personnel.

(5) Equal classes and grades receive equal basic salaries.

Article 4

The cardinal in charge is permitted, in agreement with the

competent administration to take on extra personnel for extra-

ordinary work with a contract of the maximum duration of one
year.

Article 5

1. To each dicastery are also attached subaltern lay helpers,

according to Article 34 of the present regulations, for janitorial,

custodial and general manual work, in the number indicated in the

personnel list registered with the pertinent administration.

2. The subaltern personnel are divided into three grades:

First grade: Clerk.

Second grade: Filing clerk, usher or orderly.

Third grade: Assistants.

3. Each individual grade has its own functions and re-

muneration.

4



TITLE II
HIRING AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONNEL

Article 6

1. Papal representatives, superior prelates, auditors of the

Rota and major officials are appointed by the Supreme Pontiff.

2. The acts relative to all pontifical appointments are drawn

up by the Secretariat of State.

, Article 7

1. Minor officials are hired by the cardinal in charge within

the limits of the personnel list of the dicastery after having heard

the opinion of the superior prelate and obtained the approval of

the Supreme Pontiff.

2. Both major and minor officials are chosen from various

nations, according to the norm of the constitution Regimini

Ecclesiae Universae, No. 3.

3. Given equality of merit, candidates proposed by episcopal

conferences will be given particular consideration as well as those

who, if priests, have had some pastoral experience, as long as they

have the necessary requirements and specific preparation.

4. The cardinal in charge can arrange for competitive exami-

nations for the three grades of minor officials.

Article 8

1. The following requirements are necessary for the hiring of

minor officials:

(1) Age not less than 24 years and not more than 35;
indefinite leave for those subject to military service;

(2) Sound physical condition;

(3) Honest and religious family;

(4) Full juridical capacity;

5



(5) No police or criminal record;

(6) Good religious, moral and civil conduct, attested to
by the Ordinary or, if layman, by the respective pastor;

( 7 ) Nulla osta from the respective Ordinary, the Vicari-

ate of Rome or the relative dicasteries, if priests;

(8) Fitness determined by competitive examination;

(9) Adequate academic qualifications, namely:

(a) For Minutanti and the equivalent: A doctorate
in sacred theology or in canon law, or an equivalent university

degree according to the requirements of the different dicasteries;

they must also have a good knowledge of Latin and, besides Italian,

at least one modern language, according to the norm of the con-

stitution Regimini Ecclesiae Universae, No. 10; possess any other

qualification required by the individual dicastery;

(b) For attaches or the equivalent, a specialized

doctoral degree or diploma; for archivists a diploma in archives

and diplomacy, preferably conferred by the Vatican Archives

School; for administrative attaches, an accountant’s diploma; for

technicians, the pertinent diploma granted by the relative Institute;

(c) For scribes, a diploma in typing or stenography.

2. For the hiring of members of religious or secular institutes,

there are special norms which are the same for all dicasteries.

Article 9

1. It is forbidden for the same dicastery to employ persons

related in the first or second degree of consanguinity or in the first

degree of affinity, according to canonical computation.

2. As regards the major officials of the same dicastery, it is

advisable that they be not chosen from the same region as the

cardinal in charge, except for special reasons.

6



Article 10

Before being hired, the candidate must be familiar with the

special norms of the particular dicastery and must pledge in

writing to observe them.

Article 11

An appointed official who, without justification, does not
begin service on the date determined in the letter of hiring is con-

sidered as having renounced the appointment according to Article

98, No. 1 of the present regulations.

Article 12

The official who has been taken on must make the profession
of faith as well as the promise de officio fideliter implendo et de

secreto servando before the cardinal in charge o-r the superior

prelate, according to the formulas given in the appendix.

Article 13

1 . Minor officials and subaltern personnel are hired on a trial

basis of at least one year but not more than two years.

2. During the trial period, the candidate is remunerated

according to the class and grade in which he will be placed, as is

indicated in Article 14 of the present regulations.

3. During the trial period the candidate can be dismissed at

the discretion of the cardinal in charge, after having heard the

superior prelate and the major officials of the first class, with the

right of reimbursement of any withholdings and of an indemnity

equal to one month’s salary for every year or fraction of a year’s

service.

Article 14

At the expiration of the trial period, minor officials with a

doctoral degree or the equivalent university document or diploma

of specialization will be assigned to the second class of the second

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grade; the officials who do not possess these documents will be
initially assigned to the second class of the third grade.

Article 15

The trial period will be included in computing precedence,

seniority and termination settlement.

Article 16

At the termination of the successfully completed trial period,

the cardinal in charge in agreement with the competent admin-

istration and with the approval of the Supreme Pontiff proceeds

with the appointment of the minor official with the proper docu-

ment and informs in writing the competent administration of the

appointment. Likewise, at the termination of the minor official,

the cardinal in charge proceeds with the appointment of a subaltern

employee, in agreement with the competent administration.

Article 17

1 . The subaltern personnel are hired by the cardinal in charge

within the limits of the personnel list of the dicastery, according to

the norms of Article 16.

2. Necessary qualifications required of subaltern personnel

are those of Article 8, Nos. 1 to 6, and at least the compulsory

education certificate.

3. It is not permitted to hire as subaltern personnel of a

dicastery one who is in the private employ of the cardinal in
charge, of the superior prelate and of the officials of the same

dicastery and who continues in this private service.

Article 18

1. Subaltern personnel depend on the competent administra-

tion for their juridical status; for their work within the dicastery

they depend on the superior prelate and must never be used for

private duty during office hours.

8



2. Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the present regulations apply also

to subalterns.

Article 19

Subaltern personnel must make the promise to observe secrecy

and to fulfill faithfully their duties, according to the formula

found in the appendix. In addition, they must promise to lead an

exemplary Christian life.

TITLE III
PROMOTION, TRANSFER, TERMINATION

Article 20

1. When a vacancy occurs, promotion takes place according
to the requirements of the office, bearing in mind exclusively the

objective and specific suitability for the post in question, disregard-

ing any other criterion, including that of seniority.

2. Promotion can only be from one class and grade to the

one immediately above it, without prejudice to the provisions of

Article 8, No. 9.

3. In accordance with No. 4 of the constitution Regimini

Ecclesiae Universae, no official can claim rights to promotion to

a higher class or grade.

Article 21

Promotions are communicated in writing by the head of the

dicastery to the competent administration and to the person

concerned.

Article 22

1. By agreement of the respective cardinals in charge, minor

officials can be transferred from one dicastery to another with no

demotion in grade.

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2. The decision is communicated in writing to the administra-

tion concerned by the cardinal in charge who receives the official

and to the official himself by the head of the dicastery from which

he has been transferred.

Article 23

1. The term of office of superior prelates ceases at the

beginning of their 75th year or even before if they have not been

confirmed in office according to No. 2, paragraph 5 of the con-

stitution Regimini Ecclesiae Universae.

2. If at the moment of termination of office they enjoy the

rights laid down in the pensions regulations, they receive remunera-

tion in accordance with the norms of the said regulations. If they

do not enjoy these rights, they will be awarded extraordinary com-

pensation, to be determined by the administration concerned

according to special principles of equity laid down in the appendix

to be added to the pensions regulations.

Article 24

1. Major and minor officials will be retired at the age of 70

without prejudice to the provisions of Article 1-19 of the pensions

regulations of Dec. 23, 1963.

2. Auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota have their own norms

as regards retirement settlement; Article 4 of the pensions regula-

tions applies to them as well as to those ecclesiastics who leave their

service on being appointed Auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota.

Article 25

Precedence among major and minor officials of a same

dicastery, unless indicated in the personnel list, grade and class

being equal, is determined by the date of joining the class and

grade; such date being equal, by the date of priestly ordination, and

if this is also equal, by age.

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TITLE IV
FUNCTIONS OF THE PERSONNEL

Article 26

The cardinal in charge is responsible for the management

of the dicastery and all of its activities, according to the internal

regulations (cf. Article 2, paragraph 1).

Article 27

The superior prelate, on his own responsibility and according
to the instructions of the cardinal in charge:

(1) Coordinates the various services, assigns the func-

tions to each official, examines the matters of greater importance,

sees to the speedy transaction of office affairs and checks the

relative letters and rescripts, maintains discipline and is responsible

for the observance of the present regulations and the norms of

the dicastery;

(2) Entrusts to the consultors the study of certain

questions for which their vote is necessary, convenes consultations

whenever necessary and presides over them;

(3) Attends ordinary and plenary congregations, draws

up their minutes, notes down the resolutions and prepares a
report on them for the Holy Father; if a bishop, he intervenes at

the ordinary and plenary congregations with the right to vote. In

such cases, the functions of official recorder are exercised by the

undersecretary of the dicastery;

(4) Presides at staff meetings in the absence of the

cardinal in charge;

(5) Signs, together with the cardinal in charge, the docu-

ments of the dicastery;

(6) Communicates to Ordinaries the decrees which con-

cerns their dioceses before they are published;

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(7) Transmits to the office of the Acta Apostolicae Sedis

the copies of the decrees to be promulgated;

( 8 ) Submits to the cardinal in charge anything that is to

be sent on to other dicasteries or outside the limits of the ordinary

and requires special consideration.

Article 28

1, Major officials of the first class assist the superior prelate

and take his place in the event of absence or impediment, accord-

ing to the norms of the respective dicastery. In addition, they:

(a) Have the immediate supervision of the office or of
their own section and exercise it according to the directives of the
superior prelate and the special norms of the dicastery;

(b) Sign—with the prior authorization, even in general,
of the superior prelate—clearly specified documents of lesser
importance.

2. Under the circumstances referred to in Article 27, 3, the

undersecretary of the dicastery acts as the official recorder at

ordinary and plenary congregations.

Article 29

1. The directors or office heads have the immediate responsi-

bility for the offices or sections of each dicastery. In addition,

they:

(a) Assist the superior prelate, coordinating the work

of the division entrusted to them in collaboration with their

colleagues;

(b) Attend the staff meetings, in accordance with Article

123 of this regulation.

2. The Minutanti and Aiutanti di studio have the following

tasks:

(a) They study matters concerning the division en-

trusted to them;

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(b) They attend staff meetings, in accordance with

Article 123 of the present regulations;

(c) They prepare drafts of letters and rescripts relative

to their matters under the supervision of the major officials;

(d) They draw an office memorandum and a summary
of acts and documents whenever the matter is to be submitted

to the ordinary or plenary congregation, completing them with

de jure and de facto observations which are either necessary or

useful for the right solution of the case.

3. In the distribution of work the principle generally fol-

lowed is that of division by territory combined with a division by

subject matter, in order that the personnel may be better informed

on the needs and conditions of the various countries.

Article 30

Archivists must keep the Archive in order and the Protocol-

lists must look after the Protocol Book, according to the norms

laid down in the regulations valid for all the dicasteries which are
found in the appendix of the present general regulations.

Article 31

1. The offices of distributor, protocol officer and mail clerk,

or of distributor and mail clerk, may be combined by the decision
of the superior.

2. Distributors can also fulfill not only the functions of mail

clerk but also those of cashier if such exist.

Article 32

If necessary, in some of the dicasteries, the office of cashier

will be distinct from that of accountant.

Article 33

The task of the scribes is to copy the letters and the rescripts of

the dicastery and to carry out whatever else might be entrusted to

them by the superior.

13



Article 34

It is the task of the subaltern to dispatch or deliver letters

and packets, to look after the premises and the cleaning before the

arrival and after the departure of the officials, and to carry out the

tasks entrusted to them by the superior for the dicastery to which

they belong.

TITLE V
DUTIES OF THE PERSONNEL

Article 35

Everyone should be conscious of the service he renders the

Pope and which he should fulfill with a sense of responsibility and

Christian charity toward anyone who has recourse to the Holy See.

Article 36

Everyone, officials and subalterns, without special compensa-

tion and in accordance with the instructions of the superiors, will

substitute and assist fraternally his colleagues in the event of their

absence or impediment or of dicastery requirements.

Article 37

In urgent cases, or in special circumstances, officials, according

to the judgment of their superiors, will complete at home the work

which they were unable to finish at the office. They will furthermore

take care of any office duty which may be entrusted to them, though
it may be outside of their ordinary assignments.

Article 38

In the office, priests will be required to wear the cassock.

Article 39

1. Officials and subalterns are obliged to observe strictly the

office secret.

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2. Any violation of pontifical secrecy concerning the obliga-
tions determined by the appropriate instructions implies dismissal

from office as well as other sanctions provided for in the instructions

themselves; any violation of ordinary secrecy concerning other

matters implies the sanctions referred to in Articles 62-67 of the

present regulations.

Article 40

It is forbidden for officials and subalterns:

(1) To remove documents and keep personal notes or
observations regarding the affairs of the Roman Curia;

(2) To be absent without leave from the superior;

(3) To make undue use of office letterhead;

(4) To discuss office matters with outsiders;

(5) To act in any way as agent, procurator or advocate
in one’s own or in another dicastery;

(6) To retain or take on employment, even of a private
nature, or duties, even of an ecclesiastical nature, which are incom-

patible with the work of the office without the express authorization

of the cardinal in charge;

(7) To be a member of a political party or of associa-
tions and institutions not conforming with the doctrine and the

discipline of the Church;

(8) To exercise any activity or to take part in demon-
strations which, in the opinion of the superior, are not in keeping

with the character of an official of the Holy See.

Article 41

It is strongly recommended that every official who is a priest
be registered, in agreement with his own superior prelate, with a
church, oratory or institute in which he normally exercises the

pastoral ministry, within the limits permitted by office duties.

15



Lay members are also urged to engage in their free time and

according to office commitments, in good works and the apostolate.

TITLE VI
HOURS OF WORK AND ABSENCE

Article 42

While the general instructions contained in the circular of

July 1, 1959, remain valid, the sum total of the compulsory work-

ing hours of the Roman Curia personnel is reduced as follows:

(a) For officials, an over-all total of 33 hours a week;

(b) For subalterns, an over-all total of 39 hours a week,

in order that they may be able to attend to the tasks to be fulfilled

before or after normal office hours in accordance with the instruc-

tions issued by the cardinal in charge for each of the various

dicasteries.

2. Normal office hours, which are the same for all the

dicasteries, are from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ^

3. The remaining hours (in order to attain the over-all com-

pulsory total) may be distributed over the week, in the morning

or in the afternoon, at the discretion of the cardinal in charge but

in such a way that each dicastery will be open on all working days,

except on Saturdays and on the eve of feast days, from 6 p.m. to

8 p.m. with a sufficient number of officials and subalterns on

duty.

4. Office hours must be faithfully observed so that at the

appointed hour everyone will be at his post and at the disposal of

the superior. Time spent in the service of the Holy See in its

dicasteries is to be regarded as sacred because dedicated to

faithful service of the Church and of the person of the Supreme

Pontiff.

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5. Rota Auditors, because of the nature of their work, have

no office hours, nevertheless, and although they work at home,

they are obliged to attend the tribunal one day a week for the

audiences to be held at fixed hours.

The Promotor of Justice and the Defender of the Bond,

while carrying out their activities at home, must take turns at attend-

ing the tribunal on working days. Other officials will observe the

office hours established by the Rota College.

Article 43

While the provisions of Article 37 remain valid, officials will

not fail to work beyond office hours if the service requires it.

Article 44

Those who are remunerated by the hour must sign the attendance
sheet on entering and leaving the office.

Article 45

Deductions to the remuneration may be made for unjustified
non-observance of office hours, according to working time missed,

in addition to other disciplinary measures that may be taken.

Article 46

The sheets with the signatures, referred to in Article 44 of the

present regulations, as well as observations and justifications, must

be transmitted by the superior prelate to the administration con-

cerned for the calculation of absences, non-observance of office

hours and relative deductions.

Article 47

In the event of sickness or other unforeseen impediment, the

employe must, on the same day, inform the superior prelate who
will report the absence to the administration concerned within

three days.

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TITLE VII
VACATIONS, FEAST DAYS AND PERMITS

Article 48

The following are feast days:

( 1 ) Sunday and the other feasts of obligation;

(2) The anniversary of the coronation of the Supreme

Pontiff;

(3) The name-day of the Supreme Pontiff;

(4) The anniversary of the death of his predecessor;

(5) The anniversary of the institution of the Vatican

City State;

(6) The feast of St. Joseph the Artisan;

(7) Public consistory days;

(8) Easter Monday and Tuesday;

(9) The three last days of Holy Week;

(10) The eve and the day following the Assumption of

the Most Holy Mary;

(11) All Souls Day;

(12) The eve and the two days following Christmas;

(13) The last day of the year.

Article 49

All the personnel have an annual vacation, in one or two

periods, from July 1 to October 31.

Vacations are allotted in turns according to the requirements

of the dicastery and at the discretion of the superior prelate, who
can give precedence as regards choice to the seniors in each case.

18



Article 50

Vacations are granted as follows:

(a) The normal annual vacation consists of a total of

30 days, irrespective of seniority, for the superiors, the major and

minor officials as well as for subaltern personnel;

(b) A few more days are granted to non-Italian officials
(for traveling time) at the discretion of the cardinal in charge.

Article 51

Sundays and feasts of obligation as well as the feast days

listed in Article 48 which occur during the vacation period are

included in the vacation calculation.

Article 52

Days of vacation unused during the preceding year, or days

of vacation of the following year may not be added to the normal
annual vacation except in particular circumstances or necessity,

at the discretion of the superiors.

Article 53

On the justified request of the person concerned and so long as
the requirements of the dicastery are not ignored, the superior

prelate may grant a few days’ extra leave during the course of the
year to officials and subalterns. These days will be deducted from

the annual vacation period.

Article 54

Leave is granted and will not be deducted from the vacation:

(1) Of one week, extendable at the discretion of the
superior prelate and, where it applies, in addition to traveling time,

in the event of a serious illness or death of members of the
family or relations of the first degree;

(2) Of three days for change of residence;

19



(3) Of six days to ecclesiastics for an annual spiritual

retreat;

(4) Of a fortnight to lay officials and subalterns on the

occasion of their marriage.

TITLE VIII
REMUNERATION

Article 55

1. Remuneration of personnel is regulated by the administra-

tion concerned.

2. Remuneration of temporary personnel referred to in

Article 4 of the present regulations is established by the cardinal

in charge in agreement with the administration concerned on the

basis of attendance records, hours of work and the nature of the

work done. There must be a substantial uniformity in remunera-

tion based on records and hours of work.

Article 56

1. Monthly remuneration consists of the salary and, where

they apply, family allowances and indemnities.

2. Indemnities and family allowances are not added to the

pension fund.

TITLE IX
DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Article 57

Disciplinary sanctions are as follows:

( 1 ) Verbal admonishment, written admonishment and a

fine;

(2) Suspension from office;

20



(3) Discharge from office;

(4) Dismissal from office.

Paragraph I: Verbal and written admonishment; fine

Article 58

Verbal admonishment, which is in the nature of a paternal

warning, is entered in the personal file and is made for:

(a) Lack of discipline or for neglect in service;

(b) Unseemly behavior;

(c) Unjustified unobservance of office hours;

(d) Failure to observe the prohibitions referred to in

Article 4, Nos. 1-5.

Article 59

Recurrence of the shortcomings referred to in Article 58 (c)

may result in the application of a fine not exceeding half the daily
remuneration.

Article 60

In the event of a further recurrence, within the period of one

year, of the shortcomings which have been punished with a fine,

an admonishment in writing is made and is added to the personal
file of the employe which is kept at the dicastery or at the admin-

istration concerned.

Paragraph II: Suspension from office

Article 61

Suspension from office is applied:

( 1 ) Following recurrence of the shortcomings punishable

21



with an admonishment in writing, once this admonishment has

been delivered twice within the period of one year;

(2) For failure to observe the prohibitions referred to in

Article 40, No. 6;

(3) For serious non-public acts of undiscipline and in-

subordination;

(4) For serious damage done to the dicastery;

(5) For violation of office secrecy;

(6) For guilty indebtedness or other irregularities in

private relations which may undermine the dignity of the dicastery.

Article 62

Suspension implies temporary removal from the office at the

discretion of the superior, and possibly a deduction from the

salary in accordance with the norms laid down by the administra-

tion concerned.

Paragraph III: Discharge from office

Article 63

The employee is relieved of office who proves unworthy to be

maintained in service or who has committed offenses which make

his continued presence incompatible with the service in the opinion

of the commission set up in accordance with Article 23 of the

regulation of 1963 and so long as the person presumed guilty is

allowed freedom of defense.

Article 64

To be discharged from office does not imply loss of liquidation

pay, where such applies.

22



Paragraph IV: Dismissal from office

Article 65

]. The employee is dismissed from office for:

( 1 ) Serious public acts of undiscipline and in-

subordination;

(2) Serious shortcomings regarding the duties of an

ecclesiastic or of a Christian;

(3) For the violation of office secrecy.

2. The commission referred to in Article 63 will examine

these cases. The person presumed guilty is given the possibility to

defend himself.

3. The cardinal in charge may submit to the attention of the
commission cases which are not contemplated in this article and

which are of particular gravity.

Article 66

The commission referred to in the preceding article, when
decreeing the dismissal also establishes its consequences, taking

into account Articles 23 and 26 of the pensions regulations promul-

gated by the motu proprio of Dec. 23, 1963.

Article 67

The dismissed employee may not be re-employed in another
dicastery or office of the Holy See.

Paragraph V: Procedure for the implementation of
disciplinary sanctions

Article 68

Suspension, discharge or dismissal from office, referred to in

Articles 61, 63 and 65 are enforced by the cardinal in charge in

23



accordance with the decisions of the commission for the implemen-

tation of articles 63, 65 and 66.

The verbal and written admonishment and the fine referred to

in Articles 58, 59 and 60 may be enforced by the superior prelate.

Article 69

Suspension, discharge and dismissal from office are com-

municated in writing to the person concerned. Refusal to accept

this communication amounts to its reception. A report of these
acts, including refusal to accept the communication, must be

drawn up.

Article 70

The person concerned has the right of recourse in devolutivo

to the second section of the Apostolic Signature, within the limits

set down by the constitution Regimini Ecclesiae Universae, No.

106. The decision of the Apostolic Signature is final except for

the recourse provided for by the Code of Canon Law.

TITLE X
SPECIAL PROVISIONS

Article 71

Special provisions are as follows:

( 1 ) Leave of absence;

(2) Transfer to the reserve list;

(3) Measures concerning criminal proceedings;

(4) Dispensation from office;

(5) Resignation of office;

(6) Retirement.

24



Article 72

The provisions referred to in the preceding article are adopted

on the decision of the cardinal in charge in agreement with the

administration concerned and with the prior approval of the

Supreme Pontiff. The person concerned is notified of them in

writing.

Paragraph I: Leave of absence

Article 73

Leave of absence may be granted because of:

(1) Illness;

(2) Family reasons.

Article 74

The granting of a leave of absence is notified to the person

concerned, together with the indications of the cause, the date

when it becomes effective and its duration.

I. Leaves of absence because of illness

Article 75

Leave of absence due to illness may be granted to the person
concerned on his written request, on the basis of a medical certifi-

cate and prior ascertainment and judgment of the health services’

management of Vatican City.

Article 76

A leave of absence due to illness is applied automatically in
the event of continued absence owing to illness extending beyond

six months or when the employee is absent from work for a total

of 180 days during a period of twelve months, starting from the first

day of illness, prior ascertainment on the part of the medical

25



services’ management of Vatican City—where it applies—^by
consultation.

Article 77

Full remuneration is given during the period of a leave of

absence due to illness.

The time spent on a leave of absence for illness is taken into
account as regards seniority and eventual liquidation.

Article 78

Leave of absence for illness ends when the cause for which it
was granted ceases. However, it cannot be for more than 180

consecutive or interrupted days during the first 10 years of service,

nor more than 360 consecutive or interrupted days in the course

of the successive period. These terms apply from the date when

leave of absence has been decided on, in accordance with Article

76 above.

Article 79

At the end of the maximum limits referred to in the preceding
article, the case of the employee who is still unable to resume work
because of illness will be reexamined by the commission referred to

in Article 63 of the present regulations which will suggest appropri-

ate decisions.

II. Leave of absence for family reasons

Article 80

Leave of absence for family reasons can be granted on the

written request of the person concerned for serious reasons, duly

ascertained.

Article 81

During the leave of absence for family reasons, the employee

has a right to a remuneration established by the cardinal in charge

26



in agreement with the administration concerned, on the basis of

his salary and according to the nature of the case.

Article 82

Leaves of absence for family reasons may not be for more

than 180 consecutive or interrupted days during the first 10 years of

service, or more than 360 consecutive or interrupted days during

the successive period.

Article 83

Leaves of absence for family reasons may be suspended or

revoked at any time because of dicastery requirements, at the

unquestionable decision of the cardinal in charge.

The recall is communicated in writing to the person concerned.

Article 84

The employee who does not resume work after a leave of

absence for family reasons or in the event of being recalled from

leave may be automatically declared to have resigned under the

terms of Article 98, no. 3.

Paragraph II: Transfer to the reserve list

Article 85

Transfer to the reserve list may occur either because of the

suppression of the office or the reduction of personnel.

Article 86

While on the reserve list the employee receives full remunera-

tion. Time spent on the reserve list is taken into account as regards

seniority and eventual liquidation.

27



Article 87

Transfer to the reserve list is communicated to the person

concerned in writing, indicating the cause, the date of the transfer

and its duration.

Article 88

An employee called back to service and failing to resume
work within a set time limit is regarded as having resigned under

the terms of Article 98, No. 3.

Paragraph III: Measures concerning criminal
proceedings

Article 89

1. In the event of ecclesiastical criminal proceedings being

brought against an employee for a crime or an action which makes

him unworthy or undeserving of the necessary trust, the cardinal

in charge imposes a temporary suspension from office.

2. In the event of non-ecclesiastical criminal proceeding, a

commission appointed by the cardinal- will decide on suitable

measures.

Article 90

Should the proceedings end in acquittal, the employee con-

cerned is reinstated.

Paragraph IV: Dispensation from office

Article 91

An employee is dispensed from office if he becomes physically
disabled whether or not resulting from service.

Article 92

1. Dispensation from office is adopted for physical disability,

whether or not resulting from service, whenever the commission

28



referred to in Article 63, decides to do so following ascertainment

through consultation on the part of the Vatican City health serv-

ices, which will also determine whether the disability is due to

service causes.

During the consultation the employee is entitled to be assisted

by a doctor of his own choice.

Article 93

1. During absence from office because of illness or accident

resulting from service the employee is entitled to full remuneration.

2. If absence from office is not due to service causes the norms

apply which are established in the pensions regulation.

Article 94

Dispensation from office is communicated in writing to the

person concerned.

Article 95

Against a dispensation from office the person concerned has

the right of recourse in devolutivo to the second section of the

Apostolic Signature within the limits permitted by the constitution

Regimini Ecclesiae Universae, No. 106.

The decision of the Apostolic Signature is final while the pro-

visions of Article 70 of the present regulations remain valid.

Paragraph V: Resignation of office

Article 96

The employee who intends to resign from office must make a
declaration in writing to the cardinal in charge. Resignation be-

comes effective only after acceptance which is communicated in

writing to the person concerned. Acceptance of the resignation

may be postponed or refused either because of service requirements

29



or because disciplinary proceedings are in progress against the

person concerned, who will be promptly informed in any case.

Article 97

The employee who resigns an office must continue to fulfill his
office duties until acceptance of his resignation is communicated

to him.

Article 98

The employee is regarded as resigning an office and is declared

such when he without justification:

(1) Does not take up service on the date fixed in the

letter of appointment referred to in Article 1 1

;

(2) Does not intend, if he is an Italian, to benefit from

exemption from military service or from other duties of a personal

nature toward the Italian State referred to in Article 10 of the

treaty between the Holy See and Italy and in the protocol for its

implementation of September 6, 1932;

(3) Is arbitrarily absent from office for five consecutive

days and does not resume office within the limit of five days after

receiving the injunction to report, which the superior prelate must

communicate to him “ex-officio” and in writing.

Article 99

The provisions of Articles 11,91 and following apply to cases

of voluntary or automatic resignation.

Article 100

The provisions of Article 1 of the pensions regulation of

December 23, 1963, apply to the employee who voluntarily resigns
an office.

In the event of an automatic resignation, eventual liquidation

rights are determined by the commission referred to in Article 23

30



of the pensions regulation. The commission, having taken circum-

stances into account, decides on the basis of Article 23.

Paragraph VI: Retirement

Article 101

1. For subalterns, retirement is fixed at the age of 65. Age

limit is fixed at 70 for major and minor officials and at 75 for

superior prelates, except for the provisions of the constitution

Regimini Ecclesiae Universae No. 2, paragraph 5, while the laws

proper of the Sacred Roman Rota for Auditors remain valid.

The pensions regulation for ecclesiastical and lay civil person-

nel of December 23, 1963, apply to direct or indirect pensions and

superannuation.

2. Retirement is communicated in writing to the person con-

cerned, indicating the case and the date of application.

TITLE XI
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Article 102

The competent administration referred to in the norms of the

present regulations is the administration of the Patrimony of the

Apostolic See for all the dicasteries with the exception of the

Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Sacred

Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, which have their

own administration.

Article 103

The written communications referred to in the present regu-

lations are made through the means generally recognized as valid

evidence of received notification.

31



Article 104

Any measure contrary to what is set down in the articles of

this first part of the general regulations is abrogated.

PART TWO
PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE

ADMINISTRATIVE DICASTERIES

TITLE I
CONVOCATION OF THE CARDINALS IN CHARGE

Article 105

Under the terms of the constitution Regimini Ecclesiae

Universae, Nos. 18 and 20, the Secretariat of State will convoke the

cardinals in charge in accordance with the instructions of the

cardinal Secretary of State.

TITLE II
JOINT MEETINGS

Article 106

Under the terms of the constitution Regimini Ecclesiae

Universae No. 13, questions which concern two or more dicasteries

must be treated and settled at ordinary or plenary joint meetings,

consisting of the members of the respective dicasteries concerned,

in accordance with the norms of Article 110.

Article 107

As regards the convocation of plenary or joint meetings of

cardinals and the procedure to be followed in the discussion and

treatment of matters referred to them, the norms apply which are

set down in Nos. 14 and 15 of the constitution Regimini Ecclesiae

Universae.

32



Article 108

In accordance with the aforementioned constitution, Nos. 16

and 17, a similar procedure '*servatis servandis” must be followed

at joint meetings of the cardinals in charge or of the secretaries of

the dicasteries concerned.

Article 109

The resolutions adopted at joint meetings are published by

the secretary of the dicastery which called the meeting.

TITLE III
PLENARY AND ORDINARY CONGREGATIONS

Article 110

1. The plenary meetings of the individual Sacred Congrega-

tions consist of cardinal members and of a number of bishops,

in accordance with the motu proprio Pro comperte sane of August 6,

1967, and take place, except in the event of special circumstances,

once a year at periods to be fixed by the Congregations themselves.

Ordinary meetings are held whenever the opportunity arises and

consist of the cardinal members alone with the participation of

bishop members who may be in Rome.

2. For plenary Congregations of the Sacred Congregation

for the Evangelization of Peoples the provisions apply which are

laid down in No. 83, paragraph 2 of the constitution Regimini

Ecclesiae Universae.

Article 111

Each dicastery determines in its special norms the matter to

be submitted to ordinary meetings of the cardinals. Matters of

greater importance and involving a general principle or policy are

submitted to the plenary congregation.

33



Article 112

1. When cases are to be submitted to ordinary meetings or to
the plenary congregation, after a full and extensive study and after

collecting the necessary information, an office memorandum is sent
to each member at least a month before the meeting, with an
attached summary of the case, the doubts to be discussed and the

votes of the consultors.

2. The entire file need not be printed so long as it is neatly

written and duplicated in such a way as to guarantee its perfect

legibility.

Article 113

Utmost caution must be observed in duplicating the aforemen-

tioned papers in order to guarantee secrecy.

For this purpose, the work will be entrusted to the Tipografia

Vaticana or to other dependable printers and offices previously

approved by the cardinal in charge.

Article 114
^

Secret documents must be transmitted in the due form and in

the safest way.

Article 115

At plenary congregations—chaired by the cardinal in charge
—the first to speak is the Cardinal Relator, followed by the
cardinals and the other members in order of precedence, and,

finally, by the cardinal in charge.

Article 116

The plenary congregations may submit for the consideration

of the Holy Father the advisability that problems of particular

importance for the life of the Church be examined by the Synod

of Bishops.

34



Article 117

A report on the matters discussed at the meetings must be
drawn up by the superior prelate in accordance with the provisions

of Article 27, No. 3. At the end of the meetings the superior prelate

will withdraw the files and all documentation.

Article 118

If there are no objections, the resolutions will be communi-

cated and distributed by the superior prelate to all the members of

the dicastery who were convened and attended the meeting or were
justifiably absent.

Article 119

1. When the resolutions have been communicated to inter-
ested parties, those who feel they have a grievance may ask, within
10 days, the benefit of a new hearing on condition that new and

weighty arguments are advanced and without prejudicing the right

to appeal to the second section of the Apostolic Signature, in ac-

cordance with the constitution Regimini Ecclesiae Universae, No.

106.

2. After having consulted his staff, the cardinal in charge

may or may not grant the benefit of a new audience, according to
assessment of the arguments advanced.

3. Only ordinary and plenary congregations may grant the
benefit of a new audience when the clause “amplius non
proponantur” is attached to the resolution.

Article 120

The members of the congregation must be informed of the

sovereign decisions taken by the Supreme Pontiff following the

resolutions approved at plenary meetings.

Article 121

The actual expenses incurred in cases submitted to plenary
or ordinary congregations by private individuals are normally

35



charged to the petitioner; in controversial matters expenses are to

be sustained by the losing party and are to be taken from the

adequate sum deposited on the instructions of the cardinal in charge
and his staff.

Article 122

The cardinal in charge or the superior prelate report to the

Holy Father on the decisions taken at ordinary meetings and at

plenary congregations. In those cases which allow recourse to the

II section of the Apostolic Signature, the superior prelate cannot

submit for papal approval the decisions before a 30-day period

has expired after notification.

TITLE IV
STAFF MEETING (CONGRESS)

Article 123

Attending the staff meeting, in addition to the cardinal in

charge, are the superior prelate, the undersecretary or the under-

secretary of the interested section, if the dicastery consists of

various sections, the directors of the offices of the dicastery, the

“Aiutanti di studio” responsible for the matter under discussion,

or, at the discretion of the superior prelate, all the “Aiutanti” of the

section in matters of general interest and greater importance.

Article 124

The staff meeting:

(a) Decides what should be submitted directly to the

Pope and what should first be submitted for examination to the

ordinary or plenary congregation or to the joint congregations;

(b) Entrusts to consultors for their vote, cases which

demand particular study;

(c) Grants faculties, graces and indults according to

the powers received from the Holy Father;

36



(d) Discusses and settles ordinary matters in which

other dicasteries are not concerned or for which, under the terms

of the dicastery’s own rules, discussion in ordinary or plenary
congregation is not required.

Article 125

The staff meeting will transmit to the competent commission

any doubts which may arise in law regarding the interpretation of
norms of the Code of Canon Law. It will transmit to the competent

tribunal matters which by their nature must be dealt with judicially.

TITLE V
BOARD OF CONSULTORS

Article 126

1. The board of consultors of each dicastery consists of an

efficient and active group of competent consultors, who shall con-
tribute to the government of the Church by their qualified and

conscientious assistance.

2. The task of the board of consultors is to express a solidly

founded opinion on matters of greater importance submitted to it

by the superior prelate on the instructions of the cardinal in

charge.

Article 127

1. The consultors or some of them—according to their
qualifications—must be convened a few days before the plenary
congregation of cardinals.

2. The consultors are convened by the superior prelate.

Article 128

The cardinal in charge has the right also to ask for a written

vote from other eminent persons with special experience who are

37



not included among the consultors, when this is required by the
matter to be dealt with.

Article 129

The consultors are headed by the superior prelate who pre-
sides over their meetings and directs the debate.

Article 130

On being asked for their written opinion, the consultors will
fulfill their duty diligently and solicitously. On invitation by the
superiors, they will collaborate in the drafting and elaboration of

the documents of the dicastery to which they belong.

38



APPENDIX

I: Advocates

1. For the Advocates of the Sacred Consistory, who are ap-
pointed by the Pope, the present norms remain valid as regards

numbers, prerogatives and rights.

2. For admission to the office of Advocate or Procurator of

the Sacred Roman Rota and of the Apostolic Signature the pro-
visions of the Norms for the Sacred Roman Rota, Articles 54 and
55, must be observed.

3. For the II Section of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic

Signature the provisions of the special norms are observed.

4. For beatification and canonization causes, while the right

of the Advocates of the Sacred Consistory is maintained, the ful-

fillment of the formalities prescribed by the Sacred Congregation

of Rites is required in addition to the diploma of Rotal Advocate.

5. Consistorial Advocates, Procurators of the Sacred Apos-

tolic Palace and Rotal Advocates may not defend causes against the
Holy See without special authorization.

6. As regards emoluments. Advocates must keep to the tariffs
fixed and updated every three years by the Sacred Roman Rota.

7. Against an Advocate who demands emoluments exceeding
the limits set out in No. 6, recourse can be had to the Apostolic

Signature, before which an Advocate may also be cited on the
denunciation of the Promotor of Justice.

II: Profession of Faith and Promises

For Officials: Ego N. firma fede credo et profiteor omnia et
singula quae continentur in Symbolo fidei, videlicet: (Translator’s

Note: Here follows the Nicene Creed in Latin, with the following

addition
:

)

Firmiter quoque amplector et retineo omnia et singula quae

circa doctrinam de fide et moribus ab Ecclesia, sive solemni iudicio

39



definita sive ordinario magisterio adserta ac declarata sunt, prout

ab ipsa proponuntur, praesertim ea quae respiciunt mysterium

sancta Ecclesiae Christi, eiusque Sacramenta et Missae Sacrificium

atque Primatum Romani Pontificis.

Promises

Officials:

In nomine Domini, Ego N.N., spondeo, voveo as promitto,

fidelem et oboedientem me semper futurum Domino Nostro Papae
N. eiusque legitimis successoribus; ministeria mihi commissa in hac

Sacra Congregatione (in hoc Tribunali in hoc Officio) diligenter

impleturum et secretum officii religiose servaturum; simulque

promitto munera mihi in remunerationem, etiam sub specie doni

oblata, nec quaesiturum, nec recepturum. Sic me Deus adiuvet
et haec sancta Dei Evangelia quae manibus meis tango.

Subalterns

:

I, N.N. promise before God to be faithful to the Supreme
Pontiff and to his legitimate successors and to observe strictly office
secrecy; 1 promise to fulfill diligently all my duties and to observe
the orders given me by my superiors.

Ill: Archives, Protocol, Library

1 . In every dicastery there will be a general protocol in which

all items of business must be registered in progressive order as they

are received or dispatched from the office.

This registration must indicate, in addition to the order number

and the year, abbreviated in the manner of a fraction:

(a) The diocese to which the item belongs;

(b) The name of the petitioner;

(c) The subject of the case;

(d) The person against whom proceedings might be
taken;

(e) The date of presentation.

40



2. All the developments in the case, the decisions taken, the

letters written, etc., are to be entered in the general protocol by

hand, with black indelible ink if the protocol consists of a register,

or in handwriting or typewriting, using black indelible ribbons in

the case of file cards.

3. When a petition or any document is received it is first
stamped with a black ink stamp indicating the name of the re-
ceiving dicastery and the date of receipt, with blank spaces for the

protocol number, the diocese from where it was sent and the

identity of the petitioner.

Receipt of the petition must be noted in the general protocol.

When the petitioner is an Ordinary or his curia, they must be duly
informed of the receipt of the document and of the protocol number

assigned to it.

When documents are sent from the office, they are to be
marked with a black ink stamp indicating the name of the dicastery
dispatching the document, the date of dispatch, the protocol num-

ber and the addressee.

4. To facilitate the research of cases or of precedents of
cases, a triple card index is to be set up: one by names, another

showing the diocese of origin, and a third a topical index according

to the matter treated. On each card the protocol number is to be
entered and the data for the identification of the case and its

placement in the general archives if the matter is already concluded

and filed away.

5. The protocol archive number assigned at the beginning

of a case remains unchanged even if it extends beyond the period

of a year. Once the matter is settled it will be assigned a special

number, which is to be entered in the protocol as well as in the

various card indexes, to show its place in the general archives.

6. Once the precedents of a case, if any, have been checked or

the case has been assigned a new protocol number, a special

printed folder is prepared, showing on the front the data of the

case, and giving on the inside a list of the documents it contains.

41



numbered beforehand in progressive order, to avoid accidentally

confusing a document with another or misplacing it.

This folder, with a listing of all the attached documents, is

then submitted for study to the officials concerned in accordance

with the particular norms of each dicastery.

7. The transfer of a case should be noted in a special card
index, if possible with visible cards so that it can be easily ascer-

tained at any time in which office a case is to be found which has

been temporarily removed from the archives. Distributions of the

documents to consultors, rapporteurs, etc., should also be noted

on these cards.

8. Any measure adopted in a case is to be communicated:

(a) To the protocol officer, who will register it in the
general protocol and send the measure, letter or rescript to the

superior for his signature;

(b) To the scribes if a letter is to be written or a
rescript drawn up;

(c) To the accountant, who will note any expenses or
taxes;

(d) To the distributor, for dispatch or delivery; and
lastly

(e) To the archivist, for replacing the case in the
archives.

If the case is to be regarded as finally closed, the archivist will

assign a number indicating its place in the archives and will

make the necessary entries.

9. Should the documents come back unsigned or accompanied

by special observations, the official will deal with them accordingly

in conformity with the instructions of the superiors.

10. In every dicastery there is to be a library specialized and

updated in matters concerning the dicastery and entrusted for

proper functioning to an official designated by the superior prelate.

^ ^

42



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.

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