When one is writing the Vatican to alert them to heresy, errors and abuses, the protocol to follow is usually to send originals letters addressed to some or all of the following.
When reporting abuses, heresies, violations of Church law, etc., it is of critical importance that the sender include original backup documentation. This is much more important than
documentation received via the Internet. Originals (not photocopies) of articles from newspapers or other publications, church bulletins, or other documentation that is published and
distributed by official Church bodies, is really essential. (updated 07/16/07.)
[For mail to Rome, use an $.90 stamp for a letter/envelope weighing up
to 1 oz.; use $1.80 stamp for a letter/envelope weighing from l oz. to 2 oz.]
[For more info on individual responsibilities and duties for each Curia
office, go to: www.catholic-pages.com/vatican/curia.asp
and
www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dxsta.html
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI PP.
Bishop of Rome
Apostolic Palace
Via del Pellegrino
Citta del Vaticano
Vatican City State, 00120
Europe
phone: 011.3906.6988.10.22
email: av@pccs.va
fax: 011.3906.6988.53.73
(When sending mail to the Holy Father, do not place the
word 'Italy' on the envelope. The Vatican is an independent
nation and Italy's mail system routinely misroutes mail
addressed to the nation of Vaticano. When the Vatican sends
mail back to you, you'll notice it is postmarked from within
the U.S. somewhere. That's because Italy's mail is so
unreliable that the Vatican only uses its own couriers
routinely traveling to the U.S., on a daily basis, to carry
US mail over and mail it within the U.S.)
His Excellency The Most Reverend Pietro Sambi
Apostolic Nuncio to the United States
3339 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008-3687
phone: 202-333-7l2l
fax: 202-337-4036
Most Reverend Celestino Migliore
Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
25 E. 39th St.
New York, N.Y. l00l6-0903
phone: 212-370-9614 [important - unlisted working number]
phone voice/data: 212-370-7885
fax: 2l2-370-9622
email:
hsmission@holyseemission.org
email: HolySee@un.int
www.holyseemission.org
(The above two are positioned in the U.S. and are
important to notify as they relay news back to the Holy See.
Then, you continue to send copies to the following Curia or
Congregations:)
His Eminence Tarcisio Bertone
The Secretariat of State
[Substitute for the General Affairs of the Secretariat of State
is Archbishop Fernando Filoni]
[Secretary of Relations with States of the Secretariat of
State is Archbishop Dominique François Joseph Mamberti]
Apostolic Palace
00l20 Vatican City State
Europe
phone: 011.3906.69.88.34.38
fax: 011.3906.69.88.50.88
(The Secretariat of State works most closely assisting the
Pope in the exercise of his supreme function. The Cardinal Secretary presides over it. As the Pope's first
Collaborator in the governance of the universal Church, the Cardinal Secretary of State is the one primarily
responsible for the diplomatic and political activity of the Holy See, in some circumstances representing the
person of the Supreme Pontiff himself. The Secretariat of State is the most important body within the Roman Curia.
It is divided into two sections: General Section and Relations with States.)
Archbishop William J. Levada, S.T.D.
Prefect for The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
[Secretary: Most Rev. Archbishop Angelo Amato, S.D.B.]
Piazza del S. Uffizio ll
00l93 Rome Italy
Europe
phone: 011.3906.69.88.33.57
phone: 011.3906.69.88.34.13
fax: 011.3906.69.88.34.09
email: cdf@cfaith.va
and
www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith
(He promotes and safeguards the doctrine of faith and
morals in the whole Catholic world; therefore, those things
belong to it which touch this matter in any way.)
His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze
Prefect
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of
the Sacraments
[Secretary: Most Rev. Archbishop Don Albert Malcolm
Ranjith Patabendige]
Piazza Pio XII l0
00l93 Rome, Italy
Europe
phone: 011.3906.69.88.43.l6
phone: 011.39.06.69.88.43.18
fax: 011.3906.69.88.34.99
www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds
(He pertains to the moderation and promotion of the
sacrfed liturgy, especially the sacraments, with due regard
for the competence of the Cong. for Doctrine of Faith. He
fosters and safeguards the discipline of the sacraments,
especially what pertains to their valid and licit
celebration; he concedes favors and dispensations for
matters which are not contained in the facilities of
diocesan bishops.)
His Eminence Cláudio Cardinal Hummes, O.F.M.
Prefect
The Congregation for the Clergy
[Secretary: Most Rev. Mauro Piacenza]
Piazza Pio XII 3
00l93 Rome, Italy
Europe
phone: 011.3906.69.88.4l.5l
Fax: 011.3906.69.88.48.45
www.clerus.org
(He is concerned with due regard for the rights of
bishops and their conferences and he examines those things
which concern priests and deacons of the secular clergy with
regard to their persons, ministry. This Congregation
studies, proposes and urges the means and aids by which
priests strive for sanctity. This Congregation also has
charge of everything which concerns the work and discipline
of the diocesan clergy, especially Preaching of the clergy,
Catechesis, religious instruction of the young and adults.)
Most Rev. Stanislaw Rylko
President
Pontifical Council for the Laity
Piazza S. Calistoly
00l53 Rome, Italy
Europe
phone: 011.3906.6988.7322
phone: 011.39.06.69.88.71.41
FAX: 011.3906.6988.7214
(This council is competent in those matters which pertain to the
Apostolic See in promoting and coordinating the apostolate of the
lay persons and, generally, in those things which look to the Christian
life of lay persons as such.)
His Eminence Giovanni Battista Cardinal Re
Prefect
Congregation for Bishops
[Secretary: Most Rev. Archbishop Francesco Monterisi]
Piazza Pio XII 10
00193 Rome, Italy
Europe
phone: 011-3906-6988-4217
fax: 011-3906-6988-5303
www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cbishops
(He oversees the exercise of the bishops function in the
Church. This Cong. provides also for the naming of bishops,
apostolic administrators, coadjutors, auxiliaries of
bishops, military vicars, and bishops enjoying personal
jurisdiction. It is competent for all things that have to do
with bishops and publishes norms which provide for the more
urgent needs of the faithful.)
Most Reverend Archbishop Zenon Grocholewski
Prefect
The Congregation for Catholic Education
(of Seminaries and Institutes of Studies)
Piazza Pio XII 3
00l93, Rome, Italy
Europe
phone: 011.3906.6988.4167
fax: 011.3906.6988.4172
(He's responsible for formation of those who are called
to Holy Orders as well as for the promotion and organization
of Catholic Education, for clerics and laity both. He is
charged with the direction, discipline and temporal
administration of seminaries and whatever touches the
education of diocesan clergy and secular institutes,
overseeing Universities, faculties, and any institute of
higher learning which has the name of 'Catholic' including
those directed by religious as well as laity. It watches over
Catholic schools in the dioceses as well.)
His Eminence Franc Cardinal Rode
Prefect
The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life
and for Societies of Apostolic Life
[Secretary: Most Rev. Archbishop Piergiorgio Silvano Nesti, C.P.]
Piazza Pio XII 3
00193 Rome, Italy
Europe
phone: 011.3906.69.88.41.28
fax: 011.3906.69.88.45.26
www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccscrlife
(The principal function of this Congregation is to promote and supervise the practices
of the evangelical counsels as they are exercised in approved forms of consecrated
life and at the same time the activities of societies of apostolic life. The Congregation
takes care of the affairs of all Religious Institutes of Consecrated Life and all the affairs
of Secular Institutes.)
His Eminence Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos,
President
Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei"
Secretary: Rev. Mons. Camille Perl
Palazzo della Congregazione per la Dottrina della Fede,
Piazza del Sant' Uffizio, 11
00193, Rome, Italy
phone: 011-3906-6988-5313 or 011-3906-6988-8494
fax: 011-3906-6988-3412
[Erected July 2, 1988 by Pope John Paul II, this commission regularizes canonical situations
of a traditionalist nature; to collaborate with local bishops, pastors, priests, and laity with
a view to satisfying the numerous groups of faithful linked to the Latin liturgical tradition
with request a regular celebration of the Holy Mass in keeping with the l962 rite in their dioceses.
The commission can indicate to the pastors a way to meet the needs of the traditional faithful laity.
In Art. 7 & 8 of 'Summorum Pontificum,' "If a group of lay faithful, as mentioned in art. 5 § 1,
has not obtained satisfaction to their requests from the pastor, they should inform the diocesan bishop.
The bishop is strongly requested to satisfy their wishes. If the bishop cannot arrange for such celebration
to take place, the matter should be referred to the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei”.
Art. 8: A bishop who, desirous of satisfying such requests, but who for various reasons is unable to do so,
may refer the problem to the Commission “Ecclesia Dei” to obtain counsel and assistance.
Art. 11: The Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei,” continues to exercise its function.
Said Commission will have the form, duties and norms that the Roman Pontiff wishes to assign it.
Art. 12 This Commission, apart from the powers it enjoys, will exercise the authority of the Holy See,
supervising the observance and application of these dispositions.]
His Eminence J.Francis Cardinal Stafford
Prefect
Apostolic Penitentiary
Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
Piazza della Cancelleria 1
00186, Rome, Italy
Europe
phone: 011.3906.69.88.75.26
phone: 011.3906.69.88.75.21
email:
civcsva.pref@ccscrlife.va
fax: 011.3906.69.88.75.57
(The competence of the Tribunal is concerned with those
matters which pertain to the internal forum, for both the
sacramental and non-sacramental internal forum. This
Department consults that justice may be correctly
administered in the Church, judging matters assigned to it
between the Holy See and the various nations. Also,
specifically handles sensitive questions & indulgences
regarding Sacrament of Confession & Spiritual Direction.)
His Eminence Alfonso Cardinal Lopez Trujillo
President
Pontifical Council for the Family
[Secretary: Most Rev. Bishop Karl Josef Romer]
Piazza S. Calisto 16
00153 Rome, Italy
Europe
phone: 011.3906.69.88.72.43
fax: 011.3906.69.88.72.72
(This Council promotes the pastoral care of families and
fosters the families' rights and dignity in the Church and in
civil society, in order that the families might ever more suitably
fulfill their own functions.)
There is an American priest, working for many years in
the Roman curia, who is most sympathetic to matters of
maintaining orthodoxy in the U.S. parishes. His name:
Rev. Msgr. Arthur Calkins
Assistant to President Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos
Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei"
Piazza Pio XII 3
00l93 Rome, Italy
phone: 011.3906.69.88.4l.5l
Fax: 011.3906.69.88.48.45
(This commission regularises canonical situations of a
traditionalist nature; to collaborate with local bishops
with a view to satisfying the numerous groups of faithful
linked to the Latin liturgical tradition with request a
regular celebration of the Holy Mass in keeping with the
l962 rite in their dioceses. The commission can indicate to
the local bishop a way to meet the needs of the traditional
faithful.)
You should also contact the Saint Joseph Foundation in
San Antonio, Texas. Their job is to assist Catholics who
wish to make canonical appeals.
The St. Joseph Foundation
11107 Wurzbach Suite 601B
San Antonio, Texas 78230-2570
Telephone: (210) 697-0717
Fax: (210) 699-9439
St. Joseph
Foundation
