Dicastery

A dicastery is a department or congregation within the Roman Curia, the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the Catholic Church. Dicasteries are essentially ministries, each responsible for a specific area of Church affairs.

They are headed by a Prefect (usually a Cardinal) and assisted by a Secretary (often an Archbishop or Bishop) and other officials. These officials include both clergy and laity.

Dicasteries play a crucial role in assisting the Pope in his universal governance of the Catholic Church. They receive reports, formulate policies, issue instructions, and handle matters related to their respective areas of competence.

The structure and responsibilities of dicasteries have been reorganized periodically throughout the history of the Church. Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium (2022), significantly reformed the Roman Curia, reducing the number of dicasteries and streamlining their operations. This reform aimed to foster greater collaboration and efficiency in the service of the Church's mission. Some examples of dicasteries include the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.