Pope Benedict XVI is studying the
possibility of slightly modifying the responsibilities of the
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments so that very
technical marriage annulment cases would be handled by a church court.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told reporters
Feb. 9 that "it is true" that Vatican officials were studying a document
that would "transfer technical-juridical competency -- for example that
of the dispensation of a marriage that is valid but not consummated --
from the Congregation for Divine Worship to the tribunal of the Sacred
Rota."
A well-respected Italian journalist, Andrea Tornielli, wrote on his blog
Feb. 9 that Pope Benedict had decided to "reorganize the competencies
of the Congregation for Divine Worship, entrusting it with the task of
promoting a liturgy that is more faithful to the original intentions of
the Second Vatican Council with less space for arbitrary changes and
with the recovery of a dimension of greater sacredness."
However, Father Lombardi said the proposed change aims only at giving
the Roman Rota responsibility for technical administrative procedures
such as those involved in releasing a couple from the obligations of
marriage when they have not consummated their bond.
"There are no grounds or reasons to see in this an intention to promote a
'restrictive' control by the congregation over promoting the liturgical
renewal desired by the Second Vatican Council," the Jesuit said.