Pope Benedict has removed some responsibilities from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments so that it can focus on the renewal of liturgy, Vatican Radio reports.
The pontiff issued an Apostolic Letter motu proprio on Monday, in which certain kinds of cases arising under Church law, such as a claim that a marriage had been contracted but not consummated - and the existence of a just cause for granting a dispensation - as well as claims regarding the nullity of Holy Orders, have been removed from the Congregation.
Such cases will now be examined by a new office established within the Roman Rota.
Pope Benedict said it will ensure the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments will be free more fully to dedicate itself to the renewal of the Sacred Liturgy, envisioned by the Second Vatican Council in the document Sacrosanctum concilium.