Velasio de Paolis
Encyclopedia
Velasio de Paolis, CS
JCD STL
(born 19 September 1935) is an Italian
cardinal
of the Catholic Church. He was president emeritus of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
and is Pontifical Delegate for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.
, and became a member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles
on 4 October 1958.
He was sent to Rome to complete his studies, he received his doctorate in canon law in the faculty of canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University
, a licentiate
in theology
at the faculty of theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas, and a law degree La Sapienza University in Rome. He was ordained
to the priesthood
on 18 March 1961, and taught canon law
at the Pontifical Gregorian University
in Rome
.
Since 1971 he served as professor of canon law in the faculty of canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1980 as professor and since 1983. Since 1987 he is Professor at the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University, where, after becoming a professor, dean since 1998 has the same option.
of the Apostolic Signatura
and Titular Bishop
of Thelepte
http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/14182.php?index=14182&po_date=30.12.2003&lang=en by Pope John Paul II
. He received his episcopal consecration
on 21 February 2004 from Cardinal Angelo Sodano
, with Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi
, CS, and Bishop Francesco Saverio Salerno serving as co-consecrators
. In response to the murder of two priests in Turkey
and Nigeria
, he declared, "Enough now with this turning the other cheek! It's our duty to protect ourselves...The West
has had relations with the Arab countries
for half a century, mostly for oil
, and has not been able to get the slightest concession on human rights
."
De Paolis was later named President
of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
by Pope Benedict XVI
on 12 April 2008, also being promoted to Titular Archbishop of Thelepte. As President, he essentially serves as the chief auditor for the Vatican
.
Refusing to allow the film adaption of Dan Brown
's novel Angels & Demons to be filmed at churches in Rome
, De Paolis said that Brown had "turned the gospel
s upside down to poison the faith...It would be unacceptable to transform churches into film sets so that his blasphemous
novels can be made into films in the name of business." He also added that Brown's work "wounds common religious feelings."
On 25 January 2010 he was appointed as a member of the Apostolic Signatura
, the Church's highest court, in addition to his duties at the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See. On 29 December 2010 he was appointed a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
, and the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts
. He will hold these memberships until his 80th birthday.
He was created Cardinal-Deacon with the title of Gesù Buon Pastore alla Montagnola
by Pope Benedict XVI
in the consistory of 20 November 2010. On 4 May 2011 Pope Benedict appointed him a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
. The five year term will be renewed until his 80th birthday.
Cardinal de Paolis' resignation from his position as president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs was accepted on 21 September 2011, for the reasons of his age. He was succeeded by archbishop Giuseppe Versaldi
, until then bishop of Alessandria.
In October of the same year, De Paolis suggested that the Legion should redefine its mission and its governing structure. He acknowledged that questions remained about how much other Legion leaders knew about Father Maciel's abuses and that finding the truth is "not that simple". Plans for a renewal process could take three years or more. He and four advisers would work with Legion officials to revise the congregation’s constitution, and consideration was being given to appointing a committee to address complaints made against the Legion and another to address financial management issues in the congregation. The process would include an investigation, headed by Archbishop Ricardo Blazquez of Valladolid
, of the lay branch of the congregation, known as Regnum Christi
.
On 20 October 2011 Cardinal De Paolis disclosed, in a letter, that an investigation of Regnum Christi
uncovered a series of concerns, which would require rewriting the group’s norms. Vatican officials expressed concern that the consecrated members of Regnum Christi were overly subject to the Legion and called for their own structure of authority while keeping close ties to the Legion. Cardinal De Paolis said that “the issues regarding personal and community life that have emerged from this same visitation on an institutional level initially appear to be many and challenging.” He indicated, however, that Regnum Christi would continue its affiliation with the Legion of Christ, but that the lay group would be split from the Legion itself.
In a November 21, 2011 letter, Cardinal De Paolis asked the consecrated in Regnum Christi to edit their core set of norms, and took force away from a more extensive set of norms. The core set of norms (128 in number) were approved by the Vatican in 2004, not the more extensive ones (over 1,000 in number). He said a small commission would be formed soon to extract from the more extensive rules only those that are strictly necessary for their life and governance.
Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo
The Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo or Scalabrinian Missionaries are a Roman Catholic religious order of brothers and priests founded by Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, Bishop of Piacenza in Italy, in 1887...
JCD STL
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
(born 19 September 1935) is an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
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...
of the Catholic Church. He was president emeritus of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
The Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See is an office of the Roman Curia, erected on 15 August 1967, and entrusted with overseeing all the offices of the Holy See that manage finances, regardless of their degree of autonomy....
and is Pontifical Delegate for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.
Early life
De Paolis was born in SonninoSonnino
Sonnino is a town and comune in the province of Latina, in the Lazio region of central Italy.It is the birthplace of Italian national team footballer Alessandro Altobelli, and Roman Catholic archbishop Velasio de Paolis.-History:...
, and became a member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles
Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo
The Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo or Scalabrinian Missionaries are a Roman Catholic religious order of brothers and priests founded by Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, Bishop of Piacenza in Italy, in 1887...
on 4 October 1958.
He was sent to Rome to complete his studies, he received his doctorate in canon law in the faculty of canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
, a licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at the faculty of theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas, and a law degree La Sapienza University in Rome. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on 18 March 1961, and taught canon law
Canon law (Catholic Church)
The canon law of the Catholic Church, is a fully developed legal system, with all the necessary elements: courts, lawyers, judges, a fully articulated legal code and principles of legal interpretation. It lacks the necessary binding force present in most modern day legal systems. The academic...
at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
Since 1971 he served as professor of canon law in the faculty of canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1980 as professor and since 1983. Since 1987 he is Professor at the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University, where, after becoming a professor, dean since 1998 has the same option.
Curial service
On 30 December 2003, De Paolis was appointed SecretarySecretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
of the Apostolic Signatura
Apostolic Signatura
The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church...
and 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 Thelepte
Thelepte
Thélepte is a Roman ruin in western Tunisia, 5 km from the modern town of Fériana, near the border with Algeria. It is located at around . The best preserved building is a church....
http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/14182.php?index=14182&po_date=30.12.2003&lang=en by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on 21 February 2004 from Cardinal Angelo Sodano
Angelo Sodano
Angelo Sodano is an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current Dean of the College of Cardinals and former Vatican Secretary of State, having held that post from 1990 to 2006, under both popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI...
, with Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi
Silvano Maria Tomasi
Silvano Maria Tomasi C.S. is a Catholic Archbishop and currently Permanent Observer of Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva....
, CS, and Bishop Francesco Saverio Salerno serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. In response to the murder of two priests in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, he declared, "Enough now with this turning the other cheek! It's our duty to protect ourselves...The West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
has had relations with the Arab countries
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
for half a century, mostly for oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
, and has not been able to get the slightest concession on human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
."
De Paolis was later named President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
The Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See is an office of the Roman Curia, erected on 15 August 1967, and entrusted with overseeing all the offices of the Holy See that manage finances, regardless of their degree of autonomy....
by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on 12 April 2008, also being promoted to Titular Archbishop of Thelepte. As President, he essentially serves as the chief auditor for the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
.
Refusing to allow the film adaption of Dan Brown
Dan Brown
Dan Brown is an American author of thriller fiction, best known for the 2003 bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code. Brown's novels, which are treasure hunts set in a 24-hour time period, feature the recurring themes of cryptography, keys, symbols, codes, and conspiracy theories...
's novel Angels & Demons to be filmed at churches in Rome
Churches of Rome
There are more than 900 churches in Rome. Most, but not all, of these are Roman Catholic, with some notable Roman Catholic Marian churches.The first churches of Rome originated in places where Christians met. They were divided into three categories:...
, De Paolis said that Brown had "turned the gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
s upside down to poison the faith...It would be unacceptable to transform churches into film sets so that his blasphemous
Blasphemy
Blasphemy is irreverence towards religious or holy persons or things. Some countries have laws to punish blasphemy, while others have laws to give recourse to those who are offended by blasphemy...
novels can be made into films in the name of business." He also added that Brown's work "wounds common religious feelings."
On 25 January 2010 he was appointed as a member of the Apostolic Signatura
Apostolic Signatura
The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church...
, the Church's highest court, in addition to his duties at the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See. On 29 December 2010 he was appointed a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments is the congregation of the Roman Curia that handles most affairs relating to liturgical practices of the Latin Catholic Church as distinct from the Eastern Catholic Churches and also some technical matters relating to the...
, and the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts
Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts
The Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts is part of the Roman Curia. Its work "consists mainly in interpreting the laws of the Church". ....
. He will hold these memberships until his 80th birthday.
He was created Cardinal-Deacon with the title of Gesù Buon Pastore alla Montagnola
Gesù Buon Pastore alla Montagnola
Gesù Buon Pastore alla Montagnola is a titular church in Rome. It is located in via Luigi Perna....
by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
in the consistory of 20 November 2010. On 4 May 2011 Pope Benedict appointed him a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
Congregation for the Causes of Saints
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, passing through the steps of a declaration of "heroic virtues" and beatification...
. The five year term will be renewed until his 80th birthday.
Cardinal de Paolis' resignation from his position as president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs was accepted on 21 September 2011, for the reasons of his age. He was succeeded by archbishop Giuseppe Versaldi
Giuseppe Versaldi
Archbishop Giuseppe Versaldi is the president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, since his appointement by Pope Benedict XVI on 21 September 2011. He had previously served as bishop of Alessandria....
, until then bishop of Alessandria.
Pontifical Delegate for the Legionaries of Christ
On 9 July 2010, Pope Benedict appointed Archbishop de Paolis as Pontifical Delegate for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.In October of the same year, De Paolis suggested that the Legion should redefine its mission and its governing structure. He acknowledged that questions remained about how much other Legion leaders knew about Father Maciel's abuses and that finding the truth is "not that simple". Plans for a renewal process could take three years or more. He and four advisers would work with Legion officials to revise the congregation’s constitution, and consideration was being given to appointing a committee to address complaints made against the Legion and another to address financial management issues in the congregation. The process would include an investigation, headed by Archbishop Ricardo Blazquez of Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
, of the lay branch of the congregation, known as Regnum Christi
Regnum Christi
Regnum Christi is an international Roman Catholic lay ecclesial movement associated with the Legion of Christ, founded by Fr. Marcial Maciel. Regnum Christi is dedicated to promoting the Catholic faith. Their motto is "Love Christ, Serve People, Build the Church."-History:The first draft of the...
.
On 20 October 2011 Cardinal De Paolis disclosed, in a letter, that an investigation of Regnum Christi
Regnum Christi
Regnum Christi is an international Roman Catholic lay ecclesial movement associated with the Legion of Christ, founded by Fr. Marcial Maciel. Regnum Christi is dedicated to promoting the Catholic faith. Their motto is "Love Christ, Serve People, Build the Church."-History:The first draft of the...
uncovered a series of concerns, which would require rewriting the group’s norms. Vatican officials expressed concern that the consecrated members of Regnum Christi were overly subject to the Legion and called for their own structure of authority while keeping close ties to the Legion. Cardinal De Paolis said that “the issues regarding personal and community life that have emerged from this same visitation on an institutional level initially appear to be many and challenging.” He indicated, however, that Regnum Christi would continue its affiliation with the Legion of Christ, but that the lay group would be split from the Legion itself.
In a November 21, 2011 letter, Cardinal De Paolis asked the consecrated in Regnum Christi to edit their core set of norms, and took force away from a more extensive set of norms. The core set of norms (128 in number) were approved by the Vatican in 2004, not the more extensive ones (over 1,000 in number). He said a small commission would be formed soon to extract from the more extensive rules only those that are strictly necessary for their life and governance.