The Supreme Pontiff, Francis, in an Audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Secretary of State on the fourth day of March in the year of Our Lord 2016, has approved new Rules concerning the administration of the goods of Causes for beatification and canonization, abrogating at the same time, the preceding processes which were approved by Saint John Paul II on 20 August 1983.
The Supreme Pontiff has ordered that the Rules attached to this Rescript, be promulgated and published in l'Osservatore Romano, and that these Rules take effect ad experimentum for three years from the date of approval.
Given at the Vatican
7 March 2016
Pietro Cardinal Parolin
Secretary of State
Preamble
The Causes for beatification and canonization, which due to their complexity require much work, necessitate expenses for the collection of knowledge concerning the Servants of God or the Blesseds as part of the diocesan or eparchial inquiry, the Roman phase of investigation or for the celebration of the beatification or canonization.
Concerning the Roman phase, the Apostolic See, given the peculiar nature of the public good of all Causes, assumes the costs, while other interested parties contribute to these expenses through a contribution, and ensures that the honoraria and fees are minimal so as not to impede the continuation of the Cause.
I Goods of Causes designated for Administration
1. The Plaintiff, following the acceptation of the petition, establishes a fund for expenses related to the Cause.
2. The fund established for a Cause of beatification and canonization, composed of offerings either from physical persons or juridical persons, is considered to be a fund for pious Causes due to its particular nature.
3. With the consent of the Bishop or Eparch, the Plaintiff appoints an Administrator for the fund. The Postulator General may perform the office of Administrator.
4. For Causes in progress in the Roman phase, the Postulator will communicate the name of the Administrator to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
II Administration
5. The Administrator will observe all norms concerning the administration of the goods of the pious Cause (cf Code of Canon Law, 1282; 1284-1289; 1299-1310; and the Code of Eastern Canons, 1020 §§1-2; 1028-1033 ; 1043-1054). He should especially:
a. scrupulously respect the intentions of the donors (cf Code of Canon Law, 1267 §3 and 1300; and the Code of Eastern Canons 1016 and 1044);
b. maintain a regular daily accounting of all transactions;
c. prepare annual financial statements, a budget (no later than 30 September) and actual receipts and disbursements (no later than 31 March), and present these to the Plaintiff for due approval;
d. send a copy of the financial statements approved by the Plaintiff to the Postulator.
6. The Postulators General will maintain distinct accounts for each Cause.
7. Should the Plaintiff intend to use some part of the funds for expenses not related to the Cause, such expenses must be approved by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
8. The Plaintiff, having received the financial statements, and having approved them promptly, will send a copy to the competent Authority as outlined in number 9 of these Norms.
III Supervision of the administration
9. The authority which has competence for oversight, during the diocesan or eparchial phase and for the Roman phase is:
a. the diocesan Bishop, the Eparch who is equated to them by law, within his jurisdiction (Code of Canon Law 1276; and the Code of Eastern Canons 1022);
b. the Major Superior for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, in the field of their jurisdiction;
c. other ecclesiastical authorities (cf for those which are not subject to the jurisdictions spoken of in 9a or 9b, for example, those Entities or Organisms directly dependent on the Apostolic See, on Episcopal Conferences ...
10. Supervision is exercised over all movements inherent to the Cause, both incoming and outgoing.
11. The competent authority will oversee annual revision, approve the financial statements of the Cause and forward a copy of the statements to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
12. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints, as the highest authority for oversight:
a. can request the Administrator or the Postulator and the Plaintiff of the Cause, all financial information and relative supporting documents;
b. verify the financial statements provided by the competent authorities referred to in number 9 (above);
c. will monitor, during the Roman phase, the honoraria and all other expenses based on the regulations furnished by this same Congregation.
13. The Administrator is bound to follow diligently all the norms dictated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints relative to administrative and financial activities on behalf of a given Cause.
14. In cases of defaults or abuses of an administrative or financial nature on the part of those who are participating in the development of a Cause, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints may intervene with disciplinary measures (cf Code of Canon Law 1377, 1386, 1399; and the Code of Eastern Canons 1449-1463).
IV Contributions by the Plaintiff to the Apostolic See
15. For the Roman phase, the Plaintiff is requested to provide ongoing contributions to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and to communicate through the Postulator, to correspond at various times as outlined in numbers 16 and 17. Whenever they are necessary, extraordinary contributions can also be requested.
16. In view of recognition of martyrdom or of heroic virtue ... the contribution is divided in four moments:
a at the moment of consignment of the Acts by the diocesan or eparchial investigator;
b. at the request for the appointment of a Relator;
c. at the moment of consignment of the Position;
d. before the Special Congress of Theologians.
17. In view of the recognition of an alleged miracle, the contribution is divided in three moments:
a. at the moment of consignment of the Acts by the diocesan or eparchial investigator;
b. before the Medical Consultation;
c. before the Special Congress of Theologians.
18. Contributions which do not cover the cost of printing the Position, must be received by bank transfer in the current account of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, to which all documentation supporting the transaction should also be submitted.
19. Having celebrated the beatification or the canonization, the Administrator of the fund will render an account of the complete administration of the goods for appropriate approval (cf numbers 8-12).
20. Following the canonization:
a. the Congregation for the Causes of Saints , in the name of the Apostolic See, will dispose of any funds remaining, taking into account any funds required by the Plaintiff and contributions to the Solidarity Fund.
b. having fulfilled the requirements of number 20, the fund for the Cause and the Postulator cease to exist.
V. Solidarity Fund
21. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has established a Solidarity Fund which includes free offerings from Plaintiffs or from other sources, in addition to contributions that can be made subject to number 20a.
22. In cases where there is real difficulty to sustain the costs of a Cause at the Roman phase, the Plaintiff can ask for a contribution to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints from the competent Ordinary. The Ordinary, before granting any such request, will verify the economic-financial position of the fund and the impossibility of other contributions from other sources. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints will evaluate such requests on a case by case basis.
VI Entry into Effect
23. The present Norms will enter into effect ad experimentum for three years beginning with the date of approval granted by the competent Authority, and will abrogate all other norms to the contrary.
Angelo Cardinal Amato, S.D.B.
Prefect
+ Marcello Bartolucci
Secretary
The Supreme Pontiff has ordered that the Rules attached to this Rescript, be promulgated and published in l'Osservatore Romano, and that these Rules take effect ad experimentum for three years from the date of approval.
Given at the Vatican
7 March 2016
Pietro Cardinal Parolin
Secretary of State
Norms concerning the administration
of the goods of Causes for beatification and canonization
Preamble
The Causes for beatification and canonization, which due to their complexity require much work, necessitate expenses for the collection of knowledge concerning the Servants of God or the Blesseds as part of the diocesan or eparchial inquiry, the Roman phase of investigation or for the celebration of the beatification or canonization.
Concerning the Roman phase, the Apostolic See, given the peculiar nature of the public good of all Causes, assumes the costs, while other interested parties contribute to these expenses through a contribution, and ensures that the honoraria and fees are minimal so as not to impede the continuation of the Cause.
I Goods of Causes designated for Administration
1. The Plaintiff, following the acceptation of the petition, establishes a fund for expenses related to the Cause.
2. The fund established for a Cause of beatification and canonization, composed of offerings either from physical persons or juridical persons, is considered to be a fund for pious Causes due to its particular nature.
3. With the consent of the Bishop or Eparch, the Plaintiff appoints an Administrator for the fund. The Postulator General may perform the office of Administrator.
4. For Causes in progress in the Roman phase, the Postulator will communicate the name of the Administrator to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
II Administration
5. The Administrator will observe all norms concerning the administration of the goods of the pious Cause (cf Code of Canon Law, 1282; 1284-1289; 1299-1310; and the Code of Eastern Canons, 1020 §§1-2; 1028-1033 ; 1043-1054). He should especially:
a. scrupulously respect the intentions of the donors (cf Code of Canon Law, 1267 §3 and 1300; and the Code of Eastern Canons 1016 and 1044);
b. maintain a regular daily accounting of all transactions;
c. prepare annual financial statements, a budget (no later than 30 September) and actual receipts and disbursements (no later than 31 March), and present these to the Plaintiff for due approval;
d. send a copy of the financial statements approved by the Plaintiff to the Postulator.
6. The Postulators General will maintain distinct accounts for each Cause.
7. Should the Plaintiff intend to use some part of the funds for expenses not related to the Cause, such expenses must be approved by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
8. The Plaintiff, having received the financial statements, and having approved them promptly, will send a copy to the competent Authority as outlined in number 9 of these Norms.
III Supervision of the administration
9. The authority which has competence for oversight, during the diocesan or eparchial phase and for the Roman phase is:
a. the diocesan Bishop, the Eparch who is equated to them by law, within his jurisdiction (Code of Canon Law 1276; and the Code of Eastern Canons 1022);
b. the Major Superior for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, in the field of their jurisdiction;
c. other ecclesiastical authorities (cf for those which are not subject to the jurisdictions spoken of in 9a or 9b, for example, those Entities or Organisms directly dependent on the Apostolic See, on Episcopal Conferences ...
10. Supervision is exercised over all movements inherent to the Cause, both incoming and outgoing.
11. The competent authority will oversee annual revision, approve the financial statements of the Cause and forward a copy of the statements to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
12. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints, as the highest authority for oversight:
a. can request the Administrator or the Postulator and the Plaintiff of the Cause, all financial information and relative supporting documents;
b. verify the financial statements provided by the competent authorities referred to in number 9 (above);
c. will monitor, during the Roman phase, the honoraria and all other expenses based on the regulations furnished by this same Congregation.
13. The Administrator is bound to follow diligently all the norms dictated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints relative to administrative and financial activities on behalf of a given Cause.
14. In cases of defaults or abuses of an administrative or financial nature on the part of those who are participating in the development of a Cause, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints may intervene with disciplinary measures (cf Code of Canon Law 1377, 1386, 1399; and the Code of Eastern Canons 1449-1463).
IV Contributions by the Plaintiff to the Apostolic See
15. For the Roman phase, the Plaintiff is requested to provide ongoing contributions to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and to communicate through the Postulator, to correspond at various times as outlined in numbers 16 and 17. Whenever they are necessary, extraordinary contributions can also be requested.
16. In view of recognition of martyrdom or of heroic virtue ... the contribution is divided in four moments:
a at the moment of consignment of the Acts by the diocesan or eparchial investigator;
b. at the request for the appointment of a Relator;
c. at the moment of consignment of the Position;
d. before the Special Congress of Theologians.
17. In view of the recognition of an alleged miracle, the contribution is divided in three moments:
a. at the moment of consignment of the Acts by the diocesan or eparchial investigator;
b. before the Medical Consultation;
c. before the Special Congress of Theologians.
18. Contributions which do not cover the cost of printing the Position, must be received by bank transfer in the current account of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, to which all documentation supporting the transaction should also be submitted.
19. Having celebrated the beatification or the canonization, the Administrator of the fund will render an account of the complete administration of the goods for appropriate approval (cf numbers 8-12).
20. Following the canonization:
a. the Congregation for the Causes of Saints , in the name of the Apostolic See, will dispose of any funds remaining, taking into account any funds required by the Plaintiff and contributions to the Solidarity Fund.
b. having fulfilled the requirements of number 20, the fund for the Cause and the Postulator cease to exist.
V. Solidarity Fund
21. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has established a Solidarity Fund which includes free offerings from Plaintiffs or from other sources, in addition to contributions that can be made subject to number 20a.
22. In cases where there is real difficulty to sustain the costs of a Cause at the Roman phase, the Plaintiff can ask for a contribution to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints from the competent Ordinary. The Ordinary, before granting any such request, will verify the economic-financial position of the fund and the impossibility of other contributions from other sources. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints will evaluate such requests on a case by case basis.
VI Entry into Effect
23. The present Norms will enter into effect ad experimentum for three years beginning with the date of approval granted by the competent Authority, and will abrogate all other norms to the contrary.
Angelo Cardinal Amato, S.D.B.
Prefect
+ Marcello Bartolucci
Secretary
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