Here in the Diocese of Youngstown, we are all very excited to see one of our own diocesan priests called to an appointment at the Vatican! Read all about it in Pete Sheehan’s story in The Catholic Echo.
Fr. Shawn Conoboy, Ph.D., started his five-year appointment on June 1, 2023, as Regional Director in the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (Dicastero per il Servizio dello Sviluppo Umano Integrale). He sent us a selfie on his first day of the new position, and I just had to ask:
“So I’m curious: What is a Dicastery? And what makes it different from a Congregation or Committee?”
I am aware that the Vatican has been organized in many different ways over the millennia, in response to the needs of the faithful. Even growing up as an atheist in a public school, I learned about the historical impact of various Catholic Councils, Committees and Congregations, though honestly, the only one I remember clearly as a kid was the position of the Devil’s Advocate in the Sacred Congregation of Rites. While I am continually learning—as an adult convert—about our shared Catholic beliefs and practices, I have not had many reasons (until now!) to pay attention to the internal workings of Vatican bureaucracy.
Fr. Conoboy, as a teacher, did an excellent job of explaining:
In short, Dicasteries are the new word for what the Vatican used to call Congregations.
The biggest move in this regard was in Predicate Evangelium, issued only last year.
Except for some restructuring (e.g. Integral Human Development used to be four different things, which were combined), as far as I can tell, there is no substantial difference from the former organizations.
The word “dicastery” comes from the same root as “decision.” So, in this context, it seems to me to imply that each dicastery Prefect has a certain autonomy to care for the responsibilities under their purview.
Fr. Shawn’s smiling photo reminds me that even servants of the supernatural mission of Jesus Christ are still human beings who work in physical offices. No matter whether our “office” is a kitchen table, a school desk, a cubicle, a truck cab or a field ripe for harvest, we are all children of the Most High King, who each have a certain authority and responsibility to care for our corner of God’s creation.
Let us continue to pray for Fr. Shawn Conoboy, Ph.D., and all those beginning new positions, that God grant them hearts of service and a spirit of joy working in the Vineyard of the Lord, we pray to the Lord…
