Catholic Church. Congregatio Sancti Officii

The Congregation of the Holy Office was, until 1908, called the Congregatio Romanae et Universalis Inquisitionis seu Sancti Officii (ID VATV002-A). The curial reform of Pius X (constitution Sapienti consilio 29 Jun 1908) officially renamed the congregation the Congregatio Sancti Officii, suppressed the Congregation of Indulgeneces (ID VATV462-A) and transferred its functions to that of the Holy Office. All questions relative to the precepts of the church were placed under the jurisdiction of the Congregation of the Council (ID VATV011-A). Responsbility for the election of bishops for places outside the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (ID VATV016-A) was transferred to the Consistorial Congregation (ID VATV003-A). Responsibility for the dispensation from religious vows was transferred to the Congregation for the Affairs of Religious (ID VATV013-A). The pope withdrew all authority with regard to the substantial form of the celebration of mixed marriages, stating that the decree Ne temere (article 11) would remain in force. The Congregation of the Holy Office, however, would continue to have authority over questions concerning the Pauline Privilege, disparity of worship, and mixed religion. In former times the Holy Office even dealt with causes of canonization; this was assigned exclusively to the Congregation of Rites (ID VATV017-A).

Benedict XV with his motu proprio Alloquentes (25 Mar 1917) transferred to the Apostolic Penitentiary (ID VATV026-A) authority for the granting and use of indulgences, leaving only doctrinal questions under the Congregation of the Holy Office. The Congregation of the Index (ID VATV461-A) was also suppressed and its functions transferred back to a simple section under the Congregation of the Holy Office.

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