curia
Noun: 1. The central administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church: The Curia is the complex network of departments, congregations, tribunals, and offices through which the Pope governs the universal Church. It assists him in his pastoral ministry and the administration of the Church's affairs. 2. (Historical) A division of the ancient Roman people, or its meeting place: In ancient Rome, a curia was one of the thirty political subdivisions of the Roman people. It also referred to the building where such a division met for political and religious purposes.
Noun (Modern Ecclesiastical):
- The Pope issued the decree through the Curia.
- Reforming the Roman Curia has been a topic of discussion for many popes.
- The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith is a key department within the Curia.
Noun (Historical Roman):
- The ancient Roman senate house was known as the Curia Julia.
- Membership in a curia was an important part of a Roman citizen's political identity.
- "The Roman Curia": This is the most common specific usage, referring explicitly to the administrative apparatus of the Holy See in Vatican City.
- The document was circulated to all the major dicasteries of the Roman Curia.
- "Curial" (adjective): Pertaining to the Curia.
- He has extensive experience in curial affairs and procedures.
- Curial (adj): Of or relating to a curia, especially the Roman Curia.
- Curiate (adj, historical): Organized by or based on .
- (For Ecclesiastical sense): Administration, bureaucracy, governing body, the Holy See's offices.
- (For Historical sense): Division, tribe, meeting house, senate house.
The primary contemporary meaning of "curia" is ecclesiastical. The historical Roman meaning is largely used in academic or historical contexts. When used alone in modern writing, it almost always refers to the Roman Curia. The term emphasizes the structured, official, and administrative nature of the Church's central governance.
- (Roman Catholic Church) the central administration governing the Roman Catholic Church