Pope Leo XIV promulgated new statutes for the Pontifical Academy for Life, recalling that its objective is “the defense and promotion of the value of human life and the dignity of the person.”
The new statutes, which introduce the role of “supporters,” according to Vatican News, the Vatican’s official media outlet, were signed by the Holy Father on Feb. 27 and were released in Italian by the Vatican Press Office on Feb. 28.
“Supporters, subject to approval from the Secretariat of State, are appointed by the board of directors for a three-year term and may be confirmed, upon resolution of the same body, for a maximum of two further consecutive terms,” the new statutes state.
Supporters “are individuals who, identifying with the academy’s institutional purposes, contribute to the advancement of its academic activities. They are persons who do not possess an academic profile but who wish to sustain the objectives promoted by the academy,” the new statutes explain.
The Pontifical Academy for Life was established by Pope John Paul II in 1994 with his motu proprio Vitae Mysterium. In that document, the Polish saint emphasized that “the mystery of life, and of human life in particular, is attracting the increased attention of experts who are drawn by the extraordinary opportunities for investigation that scientific and technological advances offer their research today.”
“This new situation opens up fascinating horizons for intervention at the sources of life itself; it also gives rise to a variety of new moral questions that man cannot ignore without the risk of taking steps that could prove irreversible,” John Paul II warned.
The work on drafting the new document, which updates the statutes approved by Pope Francis in 2016, began “more than a year ago,” the Vatican news outlet added.
From the National Catholic Register
Pope Francis appointed a supporter of abortion “rights,” economist Mariana Mazzucato, as an ordinary member the academy in 2022, and later defended the appointment during a press conference.
This woman’s term is over. Pray for Ms. Mazzucato’s conversion. Only those for life should be appointed to the Academy for Life, as well as any other positions in the Church. May God bless, guide and protect our holy father, Pope Leo.
Pope Leo makes a positive step in the right direction. End Abortion Now! Adoption is the option.
The article seems vague to me. At issue for me is whether or not Pope Leo will reverse the disastrous gutting of the Pontifical Academy for Life by his predecessor. The last sentence says Pope Leo’s document “updates the statutes approved by Pope Francis in 2016. ” What does this mean? Is he continuing the demolition of Pope Francis? In the end is this all there is to it? Might Pope Leo appoint someone like Mariana Mazzucato, or even worse? Someone with keener insight than myself come to my aid!
This has been my worry, too. So far, Pope Leo has not corrected any of Pope Francis’ terrible errors– which he should never have been allowed to make. I have wondered if Canon Law could be changed, to prohibit a pope from operating as Pope Francis did. He was absolutely terrible. All Catholic clerical leaders should vehemently denounce abortion promoters– and excommunicate them, if they are Catholic, and refuse to repent of their sins.
A battleship doesn’t turn around instantly. Watch the needle on the compass.
Time will tell if there’s a significant change in direction.
In the meantime, all hands on deck. Don’t jump overboard. Stay in the fight.