The Roman Curia: History, Theology, and Organization

By Anthony Ekpo

Georgetown University Press
ISBN: 9781647124359

How is the Papacy structured? This book delves into the intricate government and administration of the Papacy and Vatican City, tracing many of its foundational elements back to their medieval origins.

Excerpt:

The Roman Curia has many facets — historical, juridical, social, political, and diplomatic. This study is not meant to provide an exhaustive exploration of the Roman Curia under these aspects. In other words, what follows is by no means to be thought of as a compendium of the history, theology, and internal ordering of the Roman Curia. Instead, it is intended to be a helpful resource for teachers, students, and researchers who are interested in knowing how the Roman Curia generally operates, especially in the light of the new Apostolic Constitution. Suffice it to say that the book’s bibliography includes only the essentials, as befits a volume that aims to be one of the first presentations, in English, of fairly complex subject matter.

Who is this book for?

The Papacy comprises numerous offices and sub-organizations, including financial and judicial branches. This guide offers a detailed exploration of the Roman Curia, highlighting its various components and tracing their origins—many of which date back to the Middle Ages. While the medieval content is not extensive, this book serves as a valuable resource for anyone studying Catholic ecclesiastical history.

“Ekpo’s book is a competent and thorough examination of the currently reformed structures of the Curia in service to the pope and the bishops, and in service to communion and mission. He details the origins of the dicasteries, their internal ordering and their responsibilities.” ~ review by John J. Strynkowski in America: The Jesuit Review.

The Author

Anthony Ekpo is a priest and the Under Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, a department of the Roman Catholic Church that works on assistance to migrants, refugees and other disadvantaged groups. Click here to read a news piece about him and his new book.

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