Competentias quasdam: a Motu proprio for decentralization

Abstract

The motu proprio Competentias quasdam of 11 February 2022 wants to realize a “healthy decentralization” in the Church. Its publication is probably connected to the reform of the Roman Curia through the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium of 19 March 2022. The actual impact of the new motu proprio is, however, quite limited. This becomes clear when it is compared to the list of all the affairs which require some sort of involvement of the Apostolic See. From this list, which certainly comprises more than one hundred items, the motu proprio has withdrawn only one single item, the need of a confirmation for a decree of dismissal of a religious. In order to realize a decentralization which is able to really change the role of the Apostolic See, a much more extensive project would be necessary.