Roman Curia

The Roman Curia (Latin Curia Romanae) is usually called "The Curia". It is the cabinet of Vatican City and the Roman Catholic Church.

Parts of The Curia look after the independent country of the Vatican.  For example, The Curia includes the Vatican's courts.

Other parts of The Curia do jobs that are important for the Catholic Church.  For example, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is in charge of meeting other churches.

All of the parts of The Curia that are listed on the Vatican's website are explained in this table.

The Roman CongregationsThe Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Looks after Catholic doctrine (the beliefs that the Church teaches)The Congregation for the Oriental Churches Keeps in touch with the Eastern Catholic ChurchesThe Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the SacramentsIn charge of Catholic liturgy (the way Catholics worship)The Congregation for the Causes of SaintsControls the process of declaring someone a saintThe Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples In charge of missionary workThe Congregation for the ClergyLooks after priests and deacons who are not in a religious orderThe Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic LifeLooks after members of religious orders (like Benedictine monks and Carmelite nuns)Congregation for Catholic Education (in Seminaries and Institutes of Study)Oversees Catholic education in schools, universities, and seminaries (places were priests are trained)The Congregation for Bishops Helps choose new bishopsThe TribunalsThe Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic PenitentiaryThe Supreme Court for issues that have to do with forgiveness of sinThe Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic SignaturaThe Supreme Court for other matters (like the annulment of marriage)The Apostolic Tribunal of the Roman RotaThe highest appeals court in the Roman Catholic ChurchThe Pontifical CouncilsThe Pontifical Council for the LaityHelps the Pope in dealings with ordinary Catholics ("laity" are people who are not priests or clergy)The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian UnityArranges working with other Churches and promotes ecumenismThe Pontifical Council for the FamilyPromotes the care, rights, and dignity of familiesThe Pontifical Council for Justice and PeaceWorks for justice, peace, and human rightsThe Pontifical Council Cor UnumDoes humanitarian relief work after disasters; encourages charity; and is in charge of other Catholic organizations that do these thingsThe Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and ItinerantsLooks after the religious needs of migrants, refugees, exiles, and people without homesThe Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care WorkersLooks after the religious needs of health care workersThe Pontifical Council for Legislative TextsInterprets the Church's laws when there is a question about what they meanThe Pontifical Council for Interreligious DialogueEncourages different religious groups to study each other's religions, think, and talk togetherThe Pontifical Council for CultureTries to create good relationships between the Catholic Church and people of different culturesThe Pontifical Council for Social Communications In charge of using the media to spread the Gospel.The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New EvangelizationIn charge of spreading Catholicism in places where it is common, but religion is getting less popularThe SynodThe Synod of BishopsA group of Bishops chosen to advise the PopeThe OfficesThe Apostolic CameraThe Church's central board of financeThe Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic SeeManages and deals the Holy See's  propertiesThe Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy SeeManages the financial investments and budget of Vatican City and the Roman Catholic Church (except the Vatican Bank)Council for the EconomySupervises the financial activities of all of Vatican City, including the Holy See and the Roman CuriaThe Office of the Auditor General  Audits the Roman Curia and the government of Vatican City (for example, to make sure no fraud is happening)The Pontifical CommissionsThe Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church Guards the art, books, papers, and other important things in the Church's libraries and archivesThe Pontifical Commission for Sacred ArcheologyProtects ancient Catholic cemeteries and monuments in RomeThe Pontifical Biblical CommissionMade of Bible scholars who interpret the Bible and answer questions that come up about itThe International Theological CommissionHelps the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith answer important questions about Catholic doctrineThe Interdicasterial Commission for the Catechism of the Catholic ChurchA temporary commission set up to translate the Church's Catechism into LatinThe Pontifical Commission Ecclesia DeiLooks after the religious care of certain clergy and laity, with the goal of ending a disagreement in the ChurchThe Pontifical Commission for Latin America Looks after the Church in Latin AmericaThe Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors Makes sure children are safe in the ChurchOther institutionsThe Swiss GuardGuard the Apostolic Palace, the entrances to the Vatican City, and the Pope, and keep them safeThe Pontifical AcademiesThere are ten academies in which leading teachers and scientists help to advise the PopeThe Labour OfficeIn charge of keeping good relationships with the people who work at the Vatican, and solving problems when workers are unhappy

Related pages
 Vatican City
 The Holy See

References

Category:Vatican City
Category:Roman Catholicism