The new Regulation of the Diocesan Delegation of Brotherhoods and Confraternities of Córdoba, presented this Saturday at a meeting with the bishop, focuses on collaborating with chaplains, integrating brotherhoods into pastoral life, fostering communion, and promoting training plans. While its attributions are similar to current ones, the document establishes a more developed organizational structure, with the diocesan delegate as the central figure.

The full assembly of the Delegation will be chaired by the delegate and will include a secretary and a treasurer, in addition to a layperson and a priest from each territorial vicariate. This body will be responsible for programming common norms, guidelines, and collective action plans for all corporations. The Delegation will be structured into several sections, each with a coordinator appointed by the bishop at the proposal of the delegate of Confraternities.

Among the sections, the Legal and Economic Affairs section stands out, tasked with studying the establishment, fraternization, mergers, and extinctions of brotherhoods. It will also oversee electoral procedures, confirm elected candidates, decide on mandate extensions, dispensations, the appointment of commissioners or management boards, and resolve challenges. The Formation section will develop a plan of at least two years for members of governing boards and evaluate the plans of the brotherhoods, including the incorporation of new titles and canonical coronations.

The Liturgy and Pastoral section will ensure that the pious exercises of the confraternities are organized in a way that respects the primary meaning of sacred liturgy and the norms of the Universal Church. It will offer training programs and materials to foster understanding and love for the sacred mysteries, subordinating popular piety to liturgy. Meanwhile, the Youth section will promote the creation of a common space for training and exchange, advise on meetings, and establish training channels, encouraging youth groups.

Additionally, a delegation for Social and Charitable Pastoral Care will be created, which will promote the study of the Social Doctrine of the Church, facilitate participation in these areas, record existing activities, and propose joint social action projects. All these functions will be performed by individuals on a non-remunerated collaborative basis. According to Jiménez Güeto, this model, comprising nineteen articles and five sections, is a “technical service and support instrument for all brotherhoods and confraternities of Córdoba.”