Apostolisch visitator benoemd bij Memores Domini

This Dicastery for Laity, the Family, and Life, in the exercise of its competence relative to the accompaniment and development of associations of the faithful, has received reports from members of the lay association Memores Domini, recognized as an international association of the faithful by decree of the former Pontifical Council for the Laity on December 8, 1988, expressing detailed doubts regarding the provisions of its statutory text and the directory of the association itself.

Having thoroughly examined the normative texts of the association, and ascertained the presence of provisions that prejudice the necessary distinction between the sphere of government of the association and the sphere of conscience of its members, with particular reference to the powers of government and of spiritual direction given to the ecclesiastical councilor of the association; having assessed the repercussions of the contested provisions on the members of the association in terms of personal freedom, the right to privacy, and more generally regarding the right governance of the same association; having listened to the motivations of the president of Memores Domini, Dr. Antonella Frongillo, and of the former ecclesiastical councilor of the association, Rev. Julián Carrón; having received the opinion of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith as far as it is competent, given the need to ensure the right functioning of the government of the aforementioned association of the faithful and to protect the rights of the members of the same association, also preserving and promoting the participation of the association Memores Domini in the communion and mission of the Church according to the recognized criteria of ecclesiality; taking into account the ecclesial relevance of the lay association Memores Domini at the international level and of the need to protect and promote the charism that the Holy Spirit has bestowed on the Church by means of the Servant of God Fr. Luigi Giussani; having regard for canons 305 [30|305] and 323 [30|323] of the Code of Canon Law, article 7 paragraph 1 of the statutes of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, as well as the current statutes of the lay association Memores Domini; this Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, in the exercise of its proper function and by mandate of the Supreme Authority, decrees:

1)
The appointment of Reverend Father Gianfranco Ghirlanda as Pontifical delegate for the lay association Memores Domini so that he may guide the process of the revision of the statutes and the directory of the association, with particular reference to:

a) the structure of governance, the configuration of the offices, particularly and not exclusively the powers of the ecclesiastical councilor, the president and members of the governing council, in order to achieve a clear separation of the sphere of governance of the association and the sphere of conscience of the members;

b) the truly representative nature of the organs of governance of the association.

2)
The appointment of a commission, presided over by the Pontifical delegate, composed of competent members of Memores Domini, with the specific competence of revising the statutes and directory of the association, following, according to the manner established by the Pontifical delegate, a procedure of consultation of all of the houses of the association and welcoming the contributions of all of its members. The number and names of the members of the aforementioned commission, as also its manner of functioning, shall be defined by this Dicastery in agreement with the Pontifical delegate.

3)
For the formation of the commission the governing council of the association shall propose two nominees, whose appointment shall be subject to the judgment of this Dicastery.

4)
The Pontifical delegate shall also assist the government in promoting among all the members of the association an opportune pedagogy ordered to the understanding of the sphere of conscience, the internal sacramental forum, as well as the external forum. To this end, the delegate is granted the faculty to use consultors and experts on the subject.

5)
It shall be the responsibility of Memores Domini to provide for all of the necessary expenses of the Pontifical delegate related to the exercise of his office.

These measures are taken with the hope of an effective collaboration of all the members of Memores Domini, for the good of the entire association of the faithful and of the Church.

From the Vatican, 26 June 2020

Kevin Cardinal Farrell, Prefect

Father Alexandre Awi Mello, Secretary