CV NEWSFEED // The Vatican has announced Pope Francis’ approval of a new set of Statutes and Regulations for the Chapter of the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome.
The Vatican revealed in a March 20 report that the Holy Father has approved a reorganization plan for the Basilica which effectively relieves its canons from “all economic and administrative responsibilities.”
The Chapter has safeguarded the relics and treasures housed in St Mary Major, such as the icon of Salus Populi Romani and a relic of the Holy Crib, for centuries.
In a chirograph (a papal decree only circulated within the Roman curia) released on Wednesday, the Pope explained the reorganization:
Today, at the end of the commissioning process, I deem it appropriate to relieve the Canons from any economic and administrative responsibilities, so they can fully and with renewed vigor dedicate themselves to the spiritual and pastoral accompaniment that pilgrims from all over the world seek and hope to find, crossing the threshold of the first Marian Shrine of the West.
In addition, Francis has appointed Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas as the Basilica’s new coadjutor Archpriest, “with the right of succession.”
Archbishop Makrickas will be responsible for overseeing the application of the new statutes of the Basilica until a new Administrative Council, the Vatican said in its report.
As Coadjutor Archpriest, the Archbishop will have the ability to “continue to exercise legal representation,” and “carry out acts of ordinary and extraordinary administration” until the establishment of a new Administrative Council, which will take charge of the Chapter’s assets.
Furthermore, Makrickas will also assume the duties of the Delegate for Pastoral Care, and the Delegate for Administration until the two roles are filled by new appointments.
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