(Newser) – Pope Francis unveiled his long-awaited overhaul of the Holy See’s bureaucracy Saturday, which provides for broader decision-making roles for the laity and gives new institutional weight to efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse. The 54-page text titled “Praedicate Evanglium” or “Proclamation of the Gospel” replaces the founding constitution “Pastor Bonus” written by Saint John Paul II in 1988. Francis was elected pope in 2013 largely on his promise to reform the unwieldy and inefficient Vatican bureaucracy that acts as the central governing body of the 1.3 billion Catholic Church. He appointed a cabinet of cardinal advisers who have met periodically since his election to help him draft changes, AP reported.
Much of the work was done in stages over the years, with offices merged and financial reforms implemented. But the publication of a new document completes the process and puts it into effect in June. The document, released on the ninth anniversary of Francis’ establishment, highlights the church’s missionary and philanthropic focus, as well as the need for the Vatican to serve both the pope and local dioceses. It provides for broader roles for the laity, clarifying that the laity, and not just priests, bishops, or cardinals, can head the main office of the Vatican and that all staff must reflect the geographic universality of the church. Women should now be able to run for more church positions, according to the Wall Street Journal.
In a major change, the Pontifical Advisory Commission for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment has been moved to the powerful doctrinal office of the Vatican, which oversees canonical investigations into cases of abuse. Previously, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors existed as a special commission that reported to the pope but had no real institutional authority. He was often at odds with the more powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which handles all cases of abuse. Now the advisory commission is part of the newly named Dicastery of the Doctrine of Faith, whose members, presumably including survivors of abuse, can influence decisions made by prelates who weigh whether and how predatory priests are punished. “For the first time, Pope Francis has made the protection and protection of minors a fundamental part of the structure of the church’s central government,” Cardinal Sean O’Malley said in a statement.
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