Vatican City 19 March 2022 – “Praedicate Evangelium”, the new Constitution has been promulgated: aspects relating to the Istituto per le Opere di Religione.

On 19 March 2022, on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the Holy Father promulgated the new Apostolic Constitution “Praedicate evangelium” about the Roman Curia and its service to the Church and to the world, which will come into force on the 5th of June 2022, the Solemnity of Pentecost. The new Constitution consists of 250 articles and marks the outcome of a long listening process that began with the General Congregations that preceded the Conclave of 2013. It replaces “Pastor bonus”, which John Paul II promulgated on the 28th of June 1988 and was in force since the 1st of March 1989.

Among the main innovations are the unification of some Dicasteries and the creation of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, which will be headed by the Papal Almoner, as well as the possibility that everyone, including laymen and laywomen, can be appointed to roles of government and responsibility in the Roman Curia.

With regard to the Istituto per le Opere di Religione, Article 219, § 3, specifies that the financial operations’ execution of the Holy See’s Entity in charge of the administration and management of the real estate and financial assets, APSA, referred to in §§ 1 and 2, “it takes place through the instrumental activity of the IOR”.

Article 219 (official English translation not available)

§ 1. L’Amministrazione del Patrimonio della Sede Apostolica è l’Organismo titolare
dell’amministrazione e della gestione del patrimonio immobiliare e mobiliare della Santa Sede destinato a fornire le risorse necessarie all’adempimento della funzione propria della Curia Romana per il bene e a servizio delle Chiese particolari.

§ 2. Alla stessa compete amministrare il patrimonio immobiliare e mobiliare degli Enti che hanno affidato alla Santa Sede i propri beni, nel rispetto della finalità specifica per la quale il patrimonio è stato costituito e degli indirizzi e delle politiche generali approvate dagli Organismi competenti.

§ 3. L’esecuzione delle operazioni finanziarie di cui ai §§ 1 e 2 avviene attraverso l’attività strumentale dell’Istituto per le Opere di Religione.