Pope issues edict on administration and vigilance of Vatican patrimony

Pope Francis has approved a new 'Motu Proprio' which defines the relationship between the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See and the Secretariat for the Economy. In effect he has taken away several financial powers from the Secretariat for the Economy, led by Cardinal Pell, and restored them to the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA).

The 'Motu Proprio' that regards competencies in economic and financial matters spells out the clear and unequivocal distinction between control and vigilance, on the one hand, and administration of goods, on the other.

The official translation of the press release regarding the 'Motu Proprio' follows:

'On 4 July 2016, the Holy Father approved a motu proprio that implements reform of the organisms engaged in control and vigilance as well as the administration of Holy See goods. The new legislative document is intended to continue on the path begun with the Motu Proprio "Fidelis dispensator et prudens" dated 24 February 2014, by which Pope Francis created three new organisms: the Council for the Economy, the Secretariat for the Economy and the Office of the Auditor General.

As well known, the respective competencies of these organisms were subsequently specified in the Statutes of 22 February 2015. The Statutes in question were approved ad experimentum with the knowledge that the new system was to be built through subsequent verifications.

The document published today responds to the need to define further the relationship between the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See and the Secretariat for the Economy. The fundamental principle at the base of the reforms in this area, and in particular at the base of this Motu Proprio, is that of ensuring the clear and unequivocal distinction between control and vigilance, on the one hand, and administration of goods, on the other.
Therefore, the Motu Proprio specifies the competencies pertaining to the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See and better delineates the Secretariat for the Economy's fundamental role of control and vigilance.'

In an article today in Crux entitled: 'Vatican's old guard may have notched a pyrrhic victory' editor John Allen analyses this development. See: https://cruxnow.com/all-things-catholic/2016/07/10/vaticans-old-guard-may-notched-pyrrhic-victory/