Pope Francis delivers the Angelus address on Feb. 12, 2023. / Vatican Media
Rome Newsroom, Feb 15, 2023 / 07:50 am (CNA).
Pope Francis on Wednesday created a new independent supervisory commission for the Diocese of Rome.
The commission will meet once a month and report directly to the pope in a yearly meeting.
The oversight committee is part of the pope’s reform of the governance of the Rome Diocese, a reorganization that centralizes more of the diocese’s activities under his authority.
In a document issued Feb. 15, Pope Francis established norms for the commission and nominated its first members.
The six-member commission is intended to act as internal oversight on financial, administrative, and legal issues for the Diocese of Rome, as stated in the apostolic constitution issued Jan. 6.
The members of the supervisory group are appointed for a three-year term. All six members are laypeople who come from the professional world.
The bishop of the Diocese of Rome is the pope. Under him, the diocese, run by the Vicariate of Rome, is led by a cardinal vicar, vicegerent (deputy), and auxiliary bishops.
Pope Francis on Jan. 6 issued a constitution reforming the Vicariate of Rome in what he called a time of “epochal change.”
The apostolic constitution, In Ecclesiarum Communione, replaces a 1998 constitution promulgated by Pope John Paul II. It went into effect on Jan. 31.
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A hearing in the Vatican finance trial on May 31, 2022. / Vatican Media.
Vatican City, Jun 8, 2022 / 13:00 pm (CNA).
This week at the Vatican finance trial, it was the broker Raffaele Mincione’s turn to be questioned. The responses of the Itali… […]
Vatican City, Oct 10, 2018 / 10:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The 2018 Synod of Bishops has selected a group of bishops and priests who will draft the synod’s final document on young people, faith, and vocational discernment.
The opening night of an exhibition of art by Ukrainian refugee children at St. James’ Cathedral in Riga, Latvia, May 8, 2022. / Archdiocese of Riga.
Riga, Latvia, May 10, 2022 / 11:00 am (CNA).
An exhibition of artwork made by Ukrainian refugee children was opened Sunday at the complex of St. James’ Cathedral in Riga. Hosted by Archbishop Zbigņev Stankevičs, the event was attended by several ambassadors to Latvia.
“This initiative of [the] Catholic Church of Latvia managed to unite Latvian society – government bodies, businesses and private citizens in the name of children, love and support for one another,” the Archbishop of Riga told CNA.
“It was amazing that we also hosted an international audience – 14 Ambassadors in Latvia,” Archbishop Stankevičs added.
Archdiocese of Riga
The archbishop gave an opening speech at the May 8 event. Among those in attendence were his auxiliary, Bishop Andris Kravalis; Father Roman Sapuzhak of the Greek-Catholic parish in Riga; and Olexandr Mischenko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Latvia.
“In spite of all horrors that those children went through those works have no feeling of revenge, fear or hatred in them. They are full of kindness and hope,” Archbishop Stankevičs said during his opening speech.
Archbishop Zbigņev Stankevičs gives an opening speech at the exhibition, flanked by Olexandr Mischenko, Ukrainian ambassador to Latvia, and Gabriella Cabiere, curator of the exhibit. Archdiocese of Riga
Mischenko thanked the Catholic Church in Latvia for its warm welcome and heartfelt support for the children, who had lost so much.
Gabriella Cabiere, an art historian who is curating the exhibition, spoke about Ukraine’s future and the artistic talent of the children.
The opening night included a live concert to give the children and their families “an evening to remember and for a few hours to take their minds off of the horrors happening in their homeland,” the Archdiocese of Riga said.
Archdiocese of Riga
The exhibit includes art made since March by more than 200 children who have come to Latvia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The works “show so much pain but also tenacity, spirit and hope. Those works of art are talking to us and bringing real life, unadulterated emotions of children that went through horror,” a representative of the Riga archdiocese said.
Archdiocese of Riga
The artworks include tanks and experiences of the war, but also homes and pets that were left behind.
Archdiocese of Riga
“Those families are in a great need of our help not only physical but also emotional. They need to know that they are not alone in this war but that the whole world is behind them and with them. Those children are the future of their country,” the archdiocese reflected.
The opening was a “special moment” for the archdiocese because the Church had extended an invitation to the diplomatic corps in Riga “and received an overwhelming response, now they’re coming together to show unity of support to Ukrainian people.”
The exhibit is being supported by the administration of Latvian president Egils Levits; Latvian National Opera; Latvia Puppet Theatre; Riga Cinema; as well as several local restaurants and shops. These businesses and institutions donated presents given to the artist children.
“Latvian businesses came together to show succour to Ukrainian people and especially most vulnerable – the children. The whole county showed unity in supporting Ukrainian people,” the Riga archdiocese said.
The exhibit has been organized by Caritas Latvija and the Church in the country. It will remain open until May 23 with free admission. Donations will be used to maintain the children’s art studio.
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