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Holy See & Vatican

What is the Holy See or Apostolic See?

A See is a seat of authority, from the Latin sede. Jesus said the Pharisees sat on the chair of Moses (Mt. 23:2f). Judges sit on a bench, representing the authority of the state. Professors hold chairs of academic authority. And in the Church bishops possess chairs of spiritual authority. Thus, a diocese is called a See. The Roman diocese has been called the Apostolic See from ancient times. It is the seat of authority of the chief Apostle Peter and where the Apostles Peter and Paul were martyred. It is the Holy See, since its bishop has Christ’s authority over holy things. These expressions apply not only to the Pope, but also to those who assist him in governing the universal Church. [Code of Canon Law c. 361]

What is Vatican City State?

The Vatican City State is the world’s smallest sovereign state and where the Pope resides. It has its own diplomatic corps, passport, laws, police, stamps, money and head of state, the Pope. The Vatican Concordat with Italy in 1928 established the City State, restoring the political autonomy of the Pope which he had enjoyed for centuries as sovereign of the Papal States. These States, which occupied a large region of central Italy, protected the Church from secular leaders who sought to manipulate her for their own purposes. They were lost to the Church when the forces of Italian unification entered Rome in 1870, causing Pope Pius IX to retreat to the Vatican. The Vatican Concordat settled the unresolved issue of the Pope’s temporal authority, by securing for him sovereignty over the Vatican, and certain other properties in and around Rome.

Where does the Vatican get its name?

The Vaticanus is small hill across the Tiber River from the center of Rome. In the first century it contained a palace and circus, belonging to the Emperor Nero. It was in Nero’s Circus (an oblong racetrack) that St. Peter was martyred, crucified upside-down. He was buried in a near-by garden containing other graves. A shrine indicating Peter’s presence was erected over the grave around 150 AD, and Peter’s bones hidden in a wall to protect them from desecration. After the Edict of Milan in 311, the Emperor Constantine gave this imperial property to Pope Sylvester. The first, or Constantinian, Basilica was built on the site. In the 16^th century this Basilica was torn down and the current one erected. Excavations under the main altar since the 1940s have revealed the pagan graveyard, the shrine over Peter’s grave, as well as discovered the bones of St. Peter, along with the ancient graffiti Petrus ibi est (Peter is here).

What is the Roman Curia?

Curia is a Latin term for a ruling body and its place of assembly. In ancient Rome the Senate met in the Curia, which can still be seen among the ruins of the Roman Forum. Within the Church the term is used for those who assist a bishop in the governance of his diocese. Thus, with respect to the Bishop of Rome, it applies to the members of the various Roman Congregations, Tribunals, Councils, Offices, Commissions and Committees who assist the Pope in the governance of the universal Church. The current authority, structure, responsibilities and operation of the Roma Curia is established in Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus of 1998, which continued the process of renewal of these institutions begun by Pope Paul VI. [see Code of Canon Law cc. 360-361]

What is a Dicastery?

A Dicastery, from the Latin word dicasterium, is an office or department of the Roman Curia. The mission of the Roman dicasteries is to assist the Supreme Pontiff in his role as the principle of unity in the Church. Among the dicasteries are the Secretariat of State, the Congregations, such as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Tribunals, such as the Apostolic Signature, the Councils, such as the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and the Offices, such as the Apostolic Camera (which administers the goods of the Holy See during a vacancy). Each dicastery is headed by a Cardinal, entitled Prefect or President, or presided over by an Archbishop. In addition they are composed of a body of cardinals (who meet periodically for the more important business), bishops, and other officials, consultors and employees, both clergy and laity.