Gianfranco Girotti
Encyclopedia
Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv. (21 April 1937 - ) is Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary
since 16 February 2002. He had previously served as Under-Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rome
on 17 February 1963 at the age of 25. He later became a member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. He completed his studies in Rome and obtained a baccalaureate in philosophy from the Pontifical Urbaniana University
, a licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontifical Theological Faculty "St. Bonaventure", a doctorate utroque jure from the Pontifical Lateran University
and a lawyer's diploma from the Roman Rota.
In his order he was Assistant General for legal problems and Attorney General of the Order. In 1969 he was appointed Under-Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and acted as Head of the Discipline Section. He was also professor at the Pontifical Urban University, teaching Law on the Institutes of Consecrated Life, and was a judge at the ecclesiastical tribunal of Lazio.
In 2002 he was appointed the second ranking official, regent, in the Apostolic Penitentiary
which deals with the forgiveness of five specific cases: candidates for priesthood who directly participated in an abortion; priests who broke the seal of confession; priests who gave sacramental absolution to a sexual partner of theirs; desecration of the Eucharist; and making an attempt on the life of the pope. At a conference to explain the work Bishop Girotti gave a detailed account of the sending of a case to the Penitentiary, the studies to ensure true repentance by the sinner, and the recommendation of "an appropriate, proportionate penance,". The Apostolic Penitentiary also has other responsibilities, including choosing, training and coordinating the work of the priests who hear confessions in the major basilicas of Rome; promoting appreciation of the sacrament of penance; coordinating the offering of indulgences; and offering an annual course for priests and seminarians on administering the sacrament of penance.
On 15 November 2006, at almost 70 he was appointed Titular Bishop
of Meta and ordained to the episcopate on 16 December by Cardinal
Tarcisio Bertone, with Cardinals James Francis Stafford and Jean-Louis Tauran as principal co-consecrators.
In a 2008 press conference, Girotti warned drug pushers, the obscenely rich, environmental polluters and “manipulative” genetic scientists that they were in danger of committing mortal sin
s. He said that surveys showed 60 per cent of Catholics in Italy no longer went to confession. He said that priests must take account of "new sins which have appeared on the horizon of humanity as a corollary of the unstoppable process of globalisation". Whereas sin in the past was thought of as being an invididual matter, it now had “social resonance”. He explained: “You offend God not only by stealing, blaspheming or coveting your neighbour’s wife, but also by ruining the environment, carrying out morally debatable scientific experiments, or allowing genetic manipulations which alter DNA or compromise embryos,”.
In 2010 Bishop Girotti spoke to priests about the challenges and the complex situations that confessors are required to handle. He reminded them that the church seeks to help "even in situations that are humanly so difficult that they seem to have no solution". Among these situations is the plight of divorced Catholics who, if they remarry, are no longer allowed to take Communion. Girotti said that in those cases, if the person cannot separate from the new spouse for various reasons, the confessor could suggest that refraining from sex and transforming the relationship into one of friendship might open the way to the possibility of partaking once again in Holy Communion. He also said confessors must be careful with the psychological states of penitents; if they find themselves with someone with serious problems they should not "try to be a psychologist," but rather seek expert help. He warned that in the case of repeat offenders, who do not show even a minimal intention to change, absolution must not be granted; but the priest must be very patient, because a conversion is always possible.
Apostolic Penitentiary
The Apostolic Penitentiary, formerly called the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary, is one of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia. The Apostolic Penitentiary is chiefly a tribunal of mercy, responsible for issues relating to the forgiveness of sins in the Catholic Church.The...
since 16 February 2002. He had previously served as Under-Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition , and after 1904 called the Supreme...
.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rome
Diocese of Rome
The Diocese of Rome is a diocese of the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy. The bishop of Rome is the Pope, who is the Supreme Pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church...
on 17 February 1963 at the age of 25. He later became a member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. He completed his studies in Rome and obtained a baccalaureate in philosophy from the Pontifical Urbaniana University
Pontifical Urbaniana University
The Pontifical Urbaniana University or Pontifical Urban University is a pontifical university under the authority of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.-History:...
, a licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontifical Theological Faculty "St. Bonaventure", a doctorate utroque jure from the Pontifical Lateran University
Pontifical Lateran University
The Pontifical Lateran University is a university by pontifical right based in Rome, Italy. The university also hosts the central session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family...
and a lawyer's diploma from the Roman Rota.
In his order he was Assistant General for legal problems and Attorney General of the Order. In 1969 he was appointed Under-Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and acted as Head of the Discipline Section. He was also professor at the Pontifical Urban University, teaching Law on the Institutes of Consecrated Life, and was a judge at the ecclesiastical tribunal of Lazio.
In 2002 he was appointed the second ranking official, regent, in the Apostolic Penitentiary
Apostolic Penitentiary
The Apostolic Penitentiary, formerly called the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary, is one of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia. The Apostolic Penitentiary is chiefly a tribunal of mercy, responsible for issues relating to the forgiveness of sins in the Catholic Church.The...
which deals with the forgiveness of five specific cases: candidates for priesthood who directly participated in an abortion; priests who broke the seal of confession; priests who gave sacramental absolution to a sexual partner of theirs; desecration of the Eucharist; and making an attempt on the life of the pope. At a conference to explain the work Bishop Girotti gave a detailed account of the sending of a case to the Penitentiary, the studies to ensure true repentance by the sinner, and the recommendation of "an appropriate, proportionate penance,". The Apostolic Penitentiary also has other responsibilities, including choosing, training and coordinating the work of the priests who hear confessions in the major basilicas of Rome; promoting appreciation of the sacrament of penance; coordinating the offering of indulgences; and offering an annual course for priests and seminarians on administering the sacrament of penance.
On 15 November 2006, at almost 70 he was appointed Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Meta and ordained to the episcopate on 16 December by Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Tarcisio Bertone, with Cardinals James Francis Stafford and Jean-Louis Tauran as principal co-consecrators.
In a 2008 press conference, Girotti warned drug pushers, the obscenely rich, environmental polluters and “manipulative” genetic scientists that they were in danger of committing mortal sin
Mortal sin
Mortal sins are in the theology of some, but not all Christian denominations wrongful acts that condemn a person to Hell after death. These sins are considered "mortal" because they constitute a rupture in a person's link to God's saving grace: the person's soul becomes "dead", not merely weakened...
s. He said that surveys showed 60 per cent of Catholics in Italy no longer went to confession. He said that priests must take account of "new sins which have appeared on the horizon of humanity as a corollary of the unstoppable process of globalisation". Whereas sin in the past was thought of as being an invididual matter, it now had “social resonance”. He explained: “You offend God not only by stealing, blaspheming or coveting your neighbour’s wife, but also by ruining the environment, carrying out morally debatable scientific experiments, or allowing genetic manipulations which alter DNA or compromise embryos,”.
In 2010 Bishop Girotti spoke to priests about the challenges and the complex situations that confessors are required to handle. He reminded them that the church seeks to help "even in situations that are humanly so difficult that they seem to have no solution". Among these situations is the plight of divorced Catholics who, if they remarry, are no longer allowed to take Communion. Girotti said that in those cases, if the person cannot separate from the new spouse for various reasons, the confessor could suggest that refraining from sex and transforming the relationship into one of friendship might open the way to the possibility of partaking once again in Holy Communion. He also said confessors must be careful with the psychological states of penitents; if they find themselves with someone with serious problems they should not "try to be a psychologist," but rather seek expert help. He warned that in the case of repeat offenders, who do not show even a minimal intention to change, absolution must not be granted; but the priest must be very patient, because a conversion is always possible.