Australian bishop appointed to head Vatican legal dicastery

Bishop Anthony Randazzo of Broken Bay, in the state of New South Wales, was named Prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts on Wednesday. The office is responsible for writing and interpreting the Church’s canon law, and also provides legal advice on other matters, including for the Vatican City State.

The Pope has also granted the prelate the personal title of Archbishop.

Archbishop Randazzo, 59, succeeds Archbishop Filippo Iannone, whom Pope Leo named in September to take over his old position as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

Before being ordained as a bishop, Archbishop Randazzo studied canon law at the Jesuit Pontifical Gregorian University and worked for five years in the Vatican’s then-Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, now the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

On his official Facebook page, Archbishop Randazzo wrote: “I am deeply grateful to Pope Leo for the trust he has placed in me.”

He also said that it was a true joy to serve as bishop for the diocese, faithful and clergy of Broken Bay.

Asking for prayers as he takes on the new challenge, Archbishop Randazzo said “I remain ever grateful to God, who has entrusted me with the care of his flock”.

Archbishop Randazzo will remain in Broken Bay for the next three months as apostolic administrator before moving to Rome to begin his new role.

FULL STORY

Pope Leo XIV taps an Australian church lawyer as Vatican’s chief legal expert (Associated Press/Crux)

Australia’s Archbishop Randazzo named Prefect of Dicastery for Legislative Texts (Vatican News)