The Pope approved with a Chirograph the new norms for the Chapter of St. Peter’s Basilica inspired by the principles of the Constitution “Praedicate Evangelium”. The Statute and Regulations of the Fabbrica di San Pietro were also published
Vatican News
The Chapter of St. Peter’s Basilica – that is, the group of canons who oversee its activities – has a new Statute and a new Regulation. The Pope approved them with a Chirographpublished today, which states that the norms that will come into force with the publication in L’Osservatore Romano are inspired by the principles and criteria of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium.
A service to pilgrims
The Basilica of Saint Peter, built on the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, writes the Pope in the Chirograph, “is officiated by a Chapter of Canons who safeguard its decorum and promote its spiritual, pastoral, charitable and cultural life. This service is directed, with particular attention, to the numerous pilgrims who, animated by sincere devotion, flock to confirm their faith on the site of the Confession of the Apostle, but also to the many visitors, often belonging to different cultures and religions, interested in contemplating the artistic and architectural beauties preserved in the Vatican Temple and the Christian message that they transmit”.
Canons and coadjutors, the new rules
The “renewal process” of chapter life, Francis recalls, was started three years ago with the publication of the Transitional Norms which took place on 28 August 2021. And the Papal Rescript, also made known today, also refers to these norms, which clarifies some aspects of the service carried out by the canons and coadjutors. First of all, it is established that both of them, appointed “without time limits before” the entry into force of the new rules and who have already reached or will reach 80 years of age, assume “the status of honorary Canons and honorary Coadjutors ” and that they are “exonerated from all obligations towards the Chapter” and therefore do not take part in the Sessions, do not receive “any emolument”, although they can retain “their title, treatment and clothes” and participate, “according to the own status, to the liturgical celebrations of the Basilica, as well as to pastoral activity”, as well as “to benefit from burial in the Chapel of the Vatican Chapter”.
The second point of the Rescript states that the coadjutors appointed before the entry into force of the new Statute “remain in service until they reach the age of eighty, unless otherwise provided by the Higher Authority”, without receiving “a fixed emolument, but an attendance fee for the service rendered”. The Rescript ends by recalling the Pope’s will according to which the provisions of point 1 apply “also to those Canons and Coadjutors who, although not yet having reached the age of eighty, have not attended liturgical celebrations and have not participated in the Chapter Sessions for over a year”.
Statute and Regulations of the Fabbrica di San Pietro
At the same time as those of the Chapter of St. Peter, the Statute and Regulations of the Fabric of St. Peter were made public today. In a press release from the Communications Directorate of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter, it is emphasized that the approved norms are the result of a process already begun before the arrival of Cardinal Archpriest Mauro Gambetti and of the experience gained after the application of the temporary norms that concerned both the Fabric and the Chapter. “The prospect that opens up – the press release states – is that of a more profitable animation of the Basilica, of its conservation and enhancement to welcome the millions of pilgrims and visitors who come to the sanctuary every year, especially in view of the Jubilee”.
