Apostolic constitution of Paul VI

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Part of Boletin Eclesiastico de Filipinas

Title: Apostolic constitution of Paul VI
Language: English
Year: 1969
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Fulltext: THE POPE SPEAKS APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION of PAUL VI Supreme Pontiff The Sacred Congregation of Rites divided into two Congregation, one for Divine Worship, the other for the Causes of Saints PAUL PP. VI Servant of the servants of God In perpetual memory Since its establishment by Our Predecessor of happy memory, Six tus V in the year 1588,1 the Sacred Congregation of Rites has had a twofold function. First: it controlled and regulated the sacred rites of the Latin Church. Second: it was vested with responsibility for all matters concerning the canonization of Saints throughout the whole Church. It is believed that this second function was assigned to the Sacred Congregation Rites precisely because the purpose of canoniza tion is that the Servants of God, enrolled in the calendar of the Saints, should be honoured with public cult by the universal Church. 1 Cfr. Const. Apost. in the form of a Bull, Immensa aeterni Dei: in the Bullarium Romanum, VIII, Turin, ed. p. 989. THE POPE SPEAKS 557 So prudently has the Sacred Congregation of Rites discharged this twofold office during the course of four centuries that it has won for itself outstanding acclaim. As regards the sacred liturgy, let it suffice to mention that—after St. Pius had published the reformed Roman Breviary and Missal* 1 2—the Sacred Congregation of Rites, in obedience to the decrees of the sacred Council of Trent,3 revised and published the other liturgical books. The Congregation likewise condensed and restored to their original purity the liturgical formulas and rites which had been corrupted in part during the so-called middle ages; and it cut down their excessive variety and brought about a certain liturgical uniformity which was firmly preserved intact thereafter.4 * * "Cfr. Const. Apost. Quo primum. 13th July, 1570. 1 Cfr. ct Decreta Sacrosancti Oecumenici et Generali; Concilti Tridentini. Sessions XXII,, XXIV, XXV. *The five volumes of Authentic Decrees, published by the Sacred Council of the Liturgy are an eloquent testimony to the work which it has accomplished. ■'Cfr. Const. Apost. Divine afflatu, 1st Nov. 1911: A.A.S., 3, 1911, pp. 633-638. ''Cfr. S. Congr. Rituum, Deer. Dominicae Resurrectionis: A.A.S., 43, 1951, pp. 128 ss. ‘ Cfr. S. Congr. Rituum, Deer. Maxima Redemptions! nostrae mysteria: A.A.S., 47. 1955, pp. 838 ss. H Cfr. Const. Sacrosanctum Concilium: A.A.S., 56, 1964, pp. 97-138. In our own time the same Congregation, acting under the instruc tions of Our Predecessor, St. Pius X, opened the way to a general re form of the Liturgy with the revision of the Breviary," which was named after that same Holy Pontiff. Later this was followed, at the behest of Our Predecessor of venerable memory, Pius XII, by the reformed Easter Vigil in 1951,” and by the new Order of Holy Week in 1955.7 From these and many other initiatives there has been derived, to a cer tain extent, the Constitution approved by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.8 Of no less importance is the work of the said Congregation in pre paring and expediting the Causes of Saints. This is clearly evident from the list of Saints who, from the year 1588 to the present day, have been enrolled in the calendar of the Saints after a detailed examina tion of their martyrdom or of the heroic degree of their virtues. 558 BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS Nowadays, however, both the general reform of the liturgy decreed by the Second Vatican Council, and the revision of the laws governing the Causes of Saints, in line with the mentality of the present age, appear to demand new studies, attention and care in he treatment of these matters. Furthermore, careful consideration of the matter clearly reveals that the liturgy is quite distinct from the Causes of Saints. Each requires different study and training, together with a different method of ap proach. On this account We Ourself, in the section of the Apostolic Constitution, Regimini Apostolicae* dealing with the Sacred Congre gation of Rites, ordered that it be divided into two parts or Sections, one to deal with Divine Worship, the other with the Causes of Saints. Now, however, after further careful reflection, and having obtained the advice of experts, We have decided to separate the two Sections in such wise as to render each of them completely independent. Wherefore, by Our present Apostolic Constitution, the existing Sa cred Congregation of Rites, is replaced by two new Congregations, the first to be known as the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, and the other, the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The Congregation for Divine Worship, besides its own proper . . . duties shortly to be defined, will take over the functions of the Council for the implementation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. The latter will thus cease to be an independent body, but it will continue as a special commission in the said Congregation until it has completed the reform of the liturgical books. We, therefore, abrogate the provisions of the Apostolic Constitu tion Regimini Ecclesiae,9 10 and decree the following. 9 Cfr. nn. 58-64: A.A.S., 59, 1967, pp. 904-908. J0Cfr. ibid. Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship 1. This Sacred Congregation, presided over by a Cardinal Prefect, assisted by a Secretary and Undersecretary, has competence in all mat ters directly and proximately concerning the Roman Rite and the other THE POPE SPEAKS 559 Latin Rites, without prejudice to the rights of other Departments in mat ters respecting the doctrine of the faith or ecclesiastical discipline, or in cases requiring judicial process. 2. This Sacred Congregation is divided into three offices: § 1. The first office has for its scope the liturgical worship of God, both ritual and pastoral; the revision and compilation of liturgical texts; the approval of particular calendars, and the proper of Masses and Of fices, for dioceses and Religious Orders; the granting of dispensations in the aforesaid matters when deemed opportune; the correct and law ful interpretation of norms and rubrics in liturgical books; the cult of sacred relics, the approval of heavenly patrons, and the granting of the title of minor basilica. § 2. The second office maintains relations with the Episcopal Con ferences, whose liturgical Acts, as provided for in art. 36 § 3 of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy," it examines, approves or confirms; it weighs carefully adaptations proposed by Episcopal Conferences in accordance with art. 40 of thel said Constitution,1-’ while bearing in mind the general liturgical laws, and the needs, traditions and genius of indi vidual peoples. Finally, it treats of extraliturgical worship, that is to say, the devotional practices of the Christian people, without prejudice, however, to the competence of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. § 3. The third office concerns itself with the so-called liturgical Com missions, the Institutes of liturgical apostolate, music, chant and sacred art. It collects information and publications about liturgical life of the Church to be used for the compilation of statistics. It considers how the means of social communication may be used for the promotion of divine worship. Finally, it lends its support to pastoral initiatives, international Associations and congresses of the liturgical apostolate. 3. This Sacred Congregation is assisted both by a group of Consuitors comprising liturgical experts chosen by the Supreme Pontiff 11 Cfr. Concil. Vat. II, Const. Sacrosanctum Concilium: A.A.S., 56, 1964, p. 109 s. 12 Cfr. ibid. n. 40: 1. c., 111. BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS from the whole world, as well as by Commissions established to study questions of greater difficulty.13 14 13 Cfr. Const. Apost. Regimini Eccleriae, n. 61 § 3: A.A.S., 59, 1967, p. 905. 14 Cfr. A.A.S., 59, 1967, pp. 881-884. '•"’Cfr. can. 253 § 3; and Const. Apost. Regimini Eccleriae, n. 59: A.A.S., 59. 1967, p. 904. 4. To complete the work of liturgical reform this Sacred Congre gation can, for the time being, avail itself of the services of the mem bers and experts of the Council for the implementation of the Consti tution on the Sacred Liturgy in the manner set out as follows: § 1) Cardinals who were Members of the Council, become ipso facto Members of the Congregation for Divine Worship. To these, other Cardinals may be added, if deemed opportune. §2) Diocesan Bishops who should be assigned to this Congrega tion in accordance with the terms of the Apostolic Letter, Pro comperto sane,'* shall, on this occasion, be elected by those who are already Mem bers of the Council, and from among their own members. § 3) Meetings, at which final decisions are to be taken on the publication of liturgical books, will be attended both by the members of the special Commission which replaces the former Council now dis solved, and also by the Members of this Sacred Congregation. The Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints 5. The Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presided ever by a Cardinal, with the assistance of a Secretary and an Under secretary, is competent in all matters which in any way pertain to the Beatification of Servants of God, or to the canonization of the Blessed, or to the preservation of Relics.15 6. The Sacred Congregation deals with Causes by judicial process, and comprises three Offices, as follows: first, the judicial Office headed by the Secretary, assisted by the Undersecretary, and a suitable number of officials; the second Office presided over by the Promoter General of the Faith, assisted by the Sub-promoter General of the Faith and THE POPE SPEAKS 561 a sufficient number of Officials; the third is the Historico-Hagiographical Office directed by the Relator General. 7. The first office has as its functions: § 1) It examines requests submitted for the introduction of Causes or for enquiry into alleged miracles; it reviews the documentation pre sented in support of such requests; it decides whether the Cause should be introduced, or whether a specific miracle should be investigated. Be sides, it lays down norms for the procedure to be followed; it judges the validity of these procedures, either directly or through the local Bishop, as the case may require, it completes or supplies the acts ne cessary for the investigation and it rules on objections raised.10 19 Cfr. Const. Apost. Regimini Eccleriae, no. 62, § 2, 10; l.c., p. 906; cfr. Litt. Apost. Sanctitas clarior, given motu proprio, 19th March, 1969, n. 7: A.A.S., 61, 1969, p. 152. 17 Cfr. Const. Apost. Regimini Eccleriae, n. 62 § 2, 1°: l.c., p. 906. '* Cfr. fod. In these matters it proceeds as follows: 1°) A doubt as to whether there exists an obstacle to the intro duction of a cause is proposed in a particular Congress. After an exa mination of the relative statement of the position—made up of the do cuments sent by the Bishop, the opinions submitted by the Promoter General of the Faith—the issue is resolved bv the votes of the Secret ary, the Undersecretary, the Promoter General of the Faith, The Rela tor General, the Sub-promoter General of the Faith, and three Consultors other than those who had submitted their opinions in writing on the given case. A final report of this examination is then compiled and signed by all.* * * 17 2°) Sentence is given by a particular Congregation, comprising the Cardinal Prefect, the Cardinal Ponens, and at least three other Car dinals. To these are submitted, together with the previous statement of the position, the votes expressed in the particular Congress and the final report. This particular Congregation is attended by the Secretary.,s 3°) Judgment on the validity of the procedures is given in the 562 BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS ordinary Congress of the Congregation, after having heard the opinion of the Promoter General of the Faith. 4°) The same ordinary Congress is competent to rule on objections which may arise.’8 § 2) It treats of the writings of Servants of God, of martyrdom, of heroic virtues, of the confirmation of ancient cult and of the attri bution to Saints of the title of Doctor. In these matters it proceeds as follows: 1°) The writings are examined in the ordinary Congress, after the vote given by two theologian censors. Should special difficulties arise, the question is referred to the plenary Congregation. 2°) The discussion of martyrdom or of heroic virtues — based on a statement of the position comprising the Summary, the inform ation supplied by the Advocate, the opinions of three Consultors, the animadversions of the Promoter General of the Faith, and the Advo cate’s reply — is held in a particular Congress which is attended by the same persons mentioned above in no. 7 § 1, 1°. They give their votes as though acting as judges, thereby deciding the issue20 A final report of the dicussiori is drawn up, and signed by all the voters.'1 3°) Sentence is pronounced in the plenary Congregation of the Cardinals. They are supplied, not only with the previous statement of the the position, but also with the votes expressed in the particular Congress, and the final report. The Congregation is attended by the Secretary.'2 4<>) For the discussion of the question of the confirmation of an cient cult or the attribution to a Saint of the title of Doctor, a statement of the position is drawn up. This is made up of the Summary, the information supplied by the Advocate, the opinions of three Consultors and the exposition or declaration of the Promoter General of the Faith. The matter is first discussed in the particular Congress, and THE POPE SPEAKS 563 then in the plenary Congregation of the Cardinals, as already indicated in this present paragraph, at nn. 2° and 3°. §3) It examines in the following manner alleged miracles attri buted to the intercession of a Servant of God:23 1°) Alleged mircales, on which two experts have expressed their medico-legal judgment, are examined by the consultative body of doctors, and their conclusions are accurately recorded in a report. 2°) Thereafter, a statement of the position is drafted, made up of the Summary, the medico-legal judgments of the experts, the report of the consultative body of doctors, the information supplied by the Ad vocate, the opinions of three Consultors, the animadversins of the Pro moter General of the Faith, and the reply of the Advocate. This state ment of the position is first discussed in the particular Congress, and then in the plenary Congregation of the Cardinals, as set out in n. 7 § 2, and 3O.LM 8. § 1) The sentences of the Cardinals dealt with in n. 7 § 1, 2°; § 2, 3° and 4°; § 3, 2°, are referred to the Supreme Pontiff in ac cordance with canons 2013 §§ 1, 2; 2107; 2133.'" § 2) If the Supreme Pontiff decides that the case may proceed further, the cause will continue its course. § 3) If, however, the Supreme Pontiff decides that the question is to be again submitted to the Congregation of Cardinals, a statement of the case is to be prepared, in which there are set out the difficulties not yet solved, the reply of the Advocate, and.any new documents, if there be such. § 4) Finally, if the Supreme Pontiff decides that the Cause is to be consigned to the archives, it is not permitted to re-open it, except in the case where new and weighty documents come to light, and permis sion is granted by the Supreme Pontiff. 9. The second office is that of the Promoter General of the Faith. -‘Cfr. ibid., .n 62, § 2, 3»: l.c., p. 907. Cfr. ib'd. -’•'Cfr. ibid., n. 62, § 3: l.c. 564 BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS Its function is to uphold the law, to supply detailed expositions, to ex press votes, as laid down in each individual case.20 28 Cfr. cann. 2079; 2080; 2106, 3, 4; 2109, 1. 2; 2010, § 1, and Const. Apost. Regimini Ecclesiae, n. 62 § 5: l.c., p. 907. 27 Cfr. A.A.S., 22, 1930, pp. 87-88; and Const. Apost. Regimini Ecclesiae, n. 63: A.A.S., 59, 1967, p. 8. 28 Cfr. ibid., n. 62, § 6: l.c., p. 907. 20 Cfr. can. 2018. 30 Cfr. Const. Apost. Regimini Ecclesiae, n. 62, § 7: l.c., p. 907. 3J Cfr. Can. 2111; and Const. Apost. Regimini Ecclesiae, n. 62, § 4: l.c. p. 907. 10. The Historico-Hagiographical Office, dealing with historical or ancient Causes, is governed by special legislation issued by Our Prede cessor of happy memory, Pius XI, in his Apostolic Letter, Gia da qualche tempo, given motu proprio on February 6th, 1930.* * 27 28 * 11. This Sacred Congregation has its own Chancellary which is governed by its own statute. 12. Likewise the Congregation has at hand a list of Advocates and Procurators, endowed with the qualities and titles required by law,2" and a college of medical specialists chosen on the grounds of knowledge and integrity.30 13. The rites and solemnities traditionally followed in the Roman Curia are to be observed for the Beautification of Servants of God and the Canonization of the. Blessed, after this has been decreed in Con sistory.31 14. What We have decreed in Our present Constitution comes into force on the date of issue. We will that what We have here ordered and decreed shall be firm and binding both now and the future, notwithstanding — as far as necessary — the Apostolic Constitutions and Ordinations issued by Our Predecessors, and other decrees requiring special mention and dero gation. Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, the 8th day of May 1969, the Sixth year of Our Pontificate. PAULUS PP. VI