(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 20.03.2024).- In addition to Saint Peter’s, there are three other great and important Basilicas in Rome. One of them, Saint Mary Major, is also the first Marian Church in the world.
In December of 2021, the Holy Father intervened in the Basilica and appointed a Commissioner in the figure of Lithuanian Bishop Rolandas Makrickas. His main task was to organize the life of the Council and of the Basilica itself. On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Pope communicated his new decisions: the first was to free Canons from financial and administrative obligations, so that they can dedicate themselves completely to the spiritual and pastoral accompaniment of pilgrims from all over the world. The second is new Statutes and a new Regulation of the Basilica’s Council. Finally, the Pontiff made Bishop Makrickas Coadjutor Archpriest of the Basilica (with the right of succession)and equipped him with all the faculties for the government of the Council (the Council is a body or community of capitular ecclesiastics of a Cathedral or Collegial church).
Other Measures
In an audience on March 19, 2024, granted to Monsignor Edgar Peña, Substitute for General Affairs, the Pontiff decided that the Canons and Coadjutors of Saint Mary Major’s Council, appointed before the coming into force of the Statutes mentioned above, and who reach the age of 80, are to become Honorary Canons and Honorary Coadjutors.
While their health and self-sufficiency allow it:
1.The Honorary Canons will keep their current apartments, the title of supernumerary Apostolic Protonotary and their vestments.
2.The Honorary Coadjutors will have a rental fee and will keep their Coadjutor vestments.
Moreover, both the Honorary Canons and the Honorary Coadjutors will be able:
3.To continue their voluntary liturgical-pastoral activity in the Basilica.
4.To continue receiving the capitular assignment.
5.To enjoy the possibility of burial in the Canons’ Cemetery.
The Honorary Canons are exempt from obligations to the Council and will not take part in the Chapter Sessions.
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