Pontifical Commission for Latin America

The Pontifical Commission for Latin America is a department of the Roman Curia that since 1958 has been charged with providing assistance to and examining matters pertaining to the Catholic Church in Latin America. The Commission operates under the auspices of the Dicastery for Bishops (formerly the Congregation for Bishops and before that the Sacred Consistorial Congregation) and for most of its history the prefect of that body has been president of the Commission.

Robert Francis Prevost has been president of the Commission since April 12, 2023. There are two secretaries, both laypersons: Rodrigo Guerra López[1] and Emilce Cuda,[2] appointed in July 2021 and February 2022, respectively. When appointed, Guerra was the only layperson with the rank of secretary in the Curia; the only layman with a higher rank was Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communications.[3] Cuda became one of the few women in senior positions in the Curia.[4]

  1. ^ "Resignations and appointments, 26.07.2021" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 26 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 18.02.2022" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  3. ^ Guerra, Rodrigo (27 July 2021). "Un laico mexicano al servicio del Papa Francisco y de América Latina". Aleteia (Interview) (in Spanish). Interviewed by Jaime Septién. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  4. ^ "This is Emilce Cuda, the new secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America". Rome Reports. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.

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