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What is the Dicastery?

Overview

The Dicastery for Communication, known in Latin as Dicasterium pro Communicatione, is a pivotal department within the Roman Curia. It holds comprehensive authority over all communication offices of the Holy See and the Vatican City State. This centralizes the Holy See's efforts in disseminating information and engaging with the world through various media channels.

Scope of Operations

The Dicastery oversees a wide array of communication entities. These include the official Vatican website, Vatican News (integrating the former Vatican Media Center), the Holy See Press Office, the esteemed newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican Radio, Vatican Press, and the Vatican Publishing House. It effectively consolidates and directs the Holy See's multifaceted communication strategy.

Integration of Offices

Established by Pope Francis, the Dicastery absorbed the functions of previous bodies, most notably the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. This strategic integration aims to streamline operations and enhance the effectiveness of the Holy See's communication efforts in the modern digital age.

Historical Development

Foundation and Evolution

Pope Francis established the Secretariat for Communication in June 2015, appointing Monsignor Dario Edoardo Viganò as its first prefect. Following Viganò's resignation in March 2018, the secretariat was officially renamed the Dicastery for Communication in June 2018. This transition marked a significant step in consolidating the Holy See's communication apparatus.

Leadership and Appointments

The appointment of Paolo Ruffini, an award-winning lay journalist, as prefect in July 2018 was a notable milestone, being the first time a layman headed a Vatican dicastery. Ruffini's leadership has guided the Dicastery through its formative years. The Dicastery has also seen numerous appointments of members and consultants, reflecting a broad engagement with expertise in communications and church affairs.

Key Personnel

Members

The Dicastery's membership comprises distinguished figures from the global Church hierarchy and laity, appointed by the Pope. These include Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and other professionals, contributing diverse perspectives and expertise to the Dicastery's mission.

  • Patriarch Moran Mor Béchara Boutros Raï
  • Cardinal John Njue
  • Cardinal Chibly Langlois
  • Cardinal Charles Maung Bo
  • Cardinal Leonardo Sandri
  • Cardinal Beniamino Stella
  • Archbishop Diarmuid Martin
  • Archbishop Gintaras Grušas
  • Bishop Marcello Semeraro
  • Bishop Stanislas Lalanne
  • Bishop Pierre Nguyễn Văn Khảm
  • Bishop Ginés Ramón García Beltrán
  • Bishop Nuno Brás da Silva Martins
  • Alessandro Elia
  • Kim Daniels
  • Markus Schächter
  • Leticia Soberón Mainero

Consultants

In addition to its members, the Dicastery benefits from the insights of appointed consultants. These individuals, often experts in media, theology, and communication strategy, provide valuable guidance and support to the Dicastery's ongoing work.

  • Jacquineau Azétsop, S.J.
  • Fernando Giménez Barriocanal
  • Ann Carter
  • Dino Cataldo Dell'Accio
  • Graham Ellis
  • Peter Gonsalves
  • José María La Porte
  • Ivan Maffeis
  • James Martin, S.J.
  • Paolo Peverini
  • Eric Salobir, O.P.
  • Michael Paul Unland
  • Michael Warsaw

Further appointments include Andrea Tornielli as Editorial Director and Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo as a member.

Official Resources

Official Website

The primary source for information regarding the Dicastery's activities, structure, and publications is its official website. This portal provides access to the latest news, official documents, and contact information for the various offices under its purview.

Visit Website ➡️

Vatican News Services

An index of the various news services operated by the Holy See is also available. This index offers a gateway to the diverse media channels through which the Vatican communicates its messages and activities globally, including Vatican Radio, Vatican News, and L'Osservatore Romano.

Explore Services ➡️

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References

References

  1.  Holy See, Notice of Briefing, 10.10.2024, accessed on 11 Ocytober 2024
A full list of references for this article are available at the Dicastery for Communication Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not official Vatican guidance or religious advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting official Vatican documents or seeking guidance from qualified ecclesiastical authorities. Always refer to official sources for definitive information.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.