Pope set up new dicastery for the laity, the family and life

After two months ‘ad experimentum’, Francis issues an Apostolic Letter setting up the new body with Mgr Kevin Joseph Farrell, currently bishop of Dallas, as its head. Mgr Paglia and Mgr Sequeri will be respectively the chancellor and president of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute. Mgr Paglia will also head the Pontifical Academy for Life. The Church is a "loving mother" who wants to walk in step with the times.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – After two months ad experimentum, Pope Francis announced on Wednesday the establishment of a Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life. The pontiff signed an Apostolic Letter in the form of motu proprio setting up the new body, which will be led by Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell, currently the bishop of Dallas.

“As a loving Mother,” the pope writes, “the Church has always throughout the centuries shown her concern for the laity, the family and life, by witnessing our Lord’s merciful love for humanity. We, cognizant of this because of Our Office as Pastor of the flock of the Lord, want to have everything ready so that the riches of Jesus Christ pour out appropriately and with profusion among the faithful.”

To this end, “we are promptly ensuring that the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia conform to the situation of our times and adapt to the needs of the universal Church. In particular, our thoughts go to the laity, the family and life to whom we wish to offer our support and help so that they may be active witnesses of the Gospel in our times and as a sign of the goodness of the Redeemer." The signature is dated the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.

Today the Holy See Press Office also announced two appointments connected with the new Dicastery. The latter "absorbs" the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontifical Council for the Family, that will cease activities as of 1 September.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, until now president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, will be taking over as grand chancellor of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and the Family and as president of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Mgr Pierangelo Sequeri will join him as the new president of the John Paul II Institute.

• vatican
• catholic church
• mgr farrell
• paglia
• new dicastery
• laity
• family
• life
• john paul ii institute