Vatican, 07 January, 2023 / 4:50 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis on Friday issued a document reorganizing the Vicariate of Rome in what he called a time of “epochal change.”
The apostolic constitution, In Ecclesiarum Communione, replaces a 1998 constitution promulgated by Pope John Paul II. It goes into effect on Jan. 31.
“In arranging this new Constitution for the Vicariate,” Francis wrote in the preface, “in the face of an ‘epochal change’ that involves everything and everyone, I hope that it will be primarily an exemplary place of communion, dialogue and proximity, welcoming and transparent, at the service of the renewal and pastoral growth of the Diocese of Rome, an evangelizing community, a synodal Church, a people which credibly witness to God’s mercy.”
The bishop of the Diocese of Rome is the pope. Under him, the diocese, run by the vicariate, is led by a cardinal vicar, vicegerent (deputy), and auxiliary bishops.
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis is vicar of Rome, which has seven auxiliary bishops. Pope Francis on Jan. 6 appointed Rome auxiliary Bishop Baldassare Reina the vicariate’s new vicegerent. The pope also, with a decree, changed the assignments entrusted to each auxiliary bishop.
