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The Commissariat (2019-2025)

Heralds Commissariat
Decree09/21/2019 (Prot. 54189/2014)
CommissionerCard. Raymundo Damasceno Assis
AssistantsDom Jose Aparecido, Sr. Marian Ambrosio
Period2019 - 2025
StatusTransition (Pope Leo XIV)

The Commissariat of the Heralds of the Gospel was established by decree on September 21, 2019, appointing Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis as Pontifical Commissioner. The source book documents serious canonical irregularities in the commissariat's establishment, including the alteration of an official decree and the application of legally inapplicable norms to a private association of the faithful.

Contents
  1. The decree and its alteration
  2. Canonical question: Canon 318
  3. Commissariat team
  4. Controversial collaborators
  5. Conflict with Braz de Aviz
  6. Conclusion

The decree and its alteration

Documented facts

The original decree establishing the commissariat contained a serious error: it classified the Heralds of the Gospel as a "Public Association" of the faithful. In reality, the Heralds are a Private Association of the faithful of pontifical right.

The difference is legally crucial, as Canon 318 -- the legal basis for commissariats -- applies exclusively to public associations.

Timeline of the alteration:

  • 09/21/2019: Original decree with the erroneous classification "Public Association"
  • 10/22/2019: Cardinal Lecaros receives the decree in Brazil
  • 11/15/2019: Carballo sends altered decree changing to "Private Association," but maintaining the original date (09/21/2019)
  • 01/08/2020: Papal signature on the altered document

The practice of correcting an official document while maintaining the original date, without a rectification note, potentially constitutes document falsification under Canon 1391 of the Code of Canon Law.

Canonical question: Canon 318

Legal analysis

Canon 318 of the Code of Canon Law, which authorizes the appointment of commissioners for associations of the faithful, applies exclusively to public associations. The Heralds of the Gospel are a private association.

There are canonical precedents confirming this distinction:

  • Corrientes case (1920): Precedent clearly distinguishing the legal regime of public and private associations
  • Palavra Viva case (2016): Recent precedent applying the same distinction

The application of Canon 318 to a private association constitutes, according to canonists consulted in the book, a serious legal error that would compromise the validity of the commissariat itself.

Commissariat team

Controversial collaborators

The book documents that some commissariat collaborators had backgrounds that compromised the team's moral credibility:

Note: The presence of collaborators with questionable moral backgrounds on the team assigned to supervise and correct the Heralds raises serious questions about the integrity and impartiality of the process.

Conflict with Braz de Aviz

The relationship between the Commissariat and Cardinal Braz de Aviz deteriorated progressively:

Conclusion

Documented facts

In December 2025, Cardinal Damasceno renounced as Commissioner. Before leaving, he conferred minor ministries on 69 members of the Heralds, a gesture interpreted as signaling the commissariat was heading toward its conclusion.

Cardinal Braz de Aviz had already left his position as Prefect on January 6, 2025, succeeded by Sister Simona Brambilla.

The current status is one of transition, under the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV.

See also

References

  1. Establishment decree -- Prot. 54189/2014, 09/21/2019
  2. Altered decree -- 11/15/2019 (maintaining date of 09/21/2019)
  3. Papal signature -- 01/08/2020
  4. Canon 318 -- Code of Canon Law
  5. Canon 1391 -- Document falsification
  6. Corrientes case (1920) -- Canonical precedent
  7. Palavra Viva case (2016) -- Canonical precedent
Categories: CommissariatCanon LawCard. DamascenoVatican