New statutes issued for IOR in papal Chirograph

By Vatican News

The statutes guiding the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR) have been renewed, now four years since their last revision. The changes are intended to bring the statutues in line with the new Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium. They include five-year mandates with the possibility of renewal only once, and a simpler governing structure with roles more clearly defined among the various offices in order to avoid overlap or duplication of activities.

The changes came in the Chirograph of Pope Francis with the new statutes made public on Tuesday 7 March, marking a renewal of the IOR's service whose purpose is "to provide for the care and administration of movable and immovable goods transfered or entrusted to it by individuals or legal persons and intended for religious or charitable works."

The primary changes contained in the two texts concern conformity with the five-year mandate and its possible renewal only once, for a maximum term of ten years. Also added are the non-concurrent character of the mandate of members of the Commission of Cardinals and the Board of Superintendence, and a specific provision concerning conflicts of interest, which states that "each member of the Board of Superintendence abstains from participating in voting on measures where an interest is held, current or potential, on their own account or by third parties."

Another change regards a clearer definition and distinction of respective roles and responsibilities of the IOR offices. The Board of Superintendence will handle the development of strategic guidelines, general policies, and oversight of IOR activities. The Director General will have responsibility for IOR management and administration.

Lastly, management will change from a collegial body composed of a Director and a Deputy Director, to a monocratic body composed of the Director General alone. Thus, the position of Deputy Director ceases to have a governing role and now becomes a "function," which the Director General may delegate to one of the managers.

The Director General continues to be appointed by the Board of Superintendence and approved by the Commission of Cardinals, but from now onwards will be chosen "based on a shortlist of at least three suitable candidates." The Director General can be hired for an indefinite or a fixed term.

(Unofficial translation of excerpts of the new statutes from the Italian)