Prothonotary Apostolic
Prothonotary Apostolic
Member of the chief order of prelates in the papal Curia. There are four classes:
those who sign the papal Bulls; instead of the earlier abbreviators, act in connection with the consistories and processes of canonization, examine candidates, and confer a fixed number of degrees in theology and canon law
certain canons of Saint Peter, the Lateran, and Saint Mary Major and of the cathedral chapters outside of Rome to which the privilege has been granted
those who are entitled to the same external insignia as class Number 1
others outside of Rome who receive the dignity
They are entitled to the use of the pontificals. The privileges, dress, and insignia are defined in the “Motu Proprio” of Pope Pius X, 29 June 1908.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Prothonotary Apostolic
A member of the highest college of prelates in the Roman Curia, and also of the honorary prelates on whom the pope has conferred this title and its special privileges. In later antiquity there were in Rome seven regional notaries, who, on the further development of the papal administration and the accompanying increase of the notaries, remained the supreme palace notaries of the papal chancery (notarii apostolici or protonotarii). In the Middle Ages the prothonotaries were very high papal officials, and were often raised directly from this office to the cardinalate. Sixtus V (1585-90) increased their number to twelve. Their importance gradually diminished, and at the time of the French Revolution the office had almost entirely disappeared. On 8 February, 1838, Gregory XVI re-established the college of real prothonotaries with seven members called “protonotarii de numero participantium”, because they shared in the revenues.
Since the sixteenth century the popes had also appointed honorary prothonotaries, who enjoyed the same privileges as the seven real members of the college; and titular prothonotaries, who held a corresponding position in the administration of the episcopal ordinariate or in the collegiate chapter. By the Motu Proprio “Inter multiplices” of 21 February, 1905, Pius X exactly defined the position of the prothonotaries.
These are divided into four classes: the “Protonotarii apostolici de numero participantium”, (members of the college of prelates), who exercise their office in connection with the acts of consistories and canonizations, have a representative in the Congregation of the Propaganda, and, according to the reorganization of the Curia by the Constitution “Sapienti consilio” of 29 June, 1908, sign the papal Bulls instead of the earlier abbreviators (q.v.). They enjoy the use of pontificals and numerous privileges, and may also, after examining the candidates, name annually a fixed number of doctors of theology and of canon law; the “Protonotarii apostolici supranumerarii”, a dignity to which only the canons of the three Roman patriarchal churches (the Lateran, St. Peter’s, and St. Mary Major), and of cathedral chapters outside of Rome to which the privilege has been granted, can be raised; the “Protonotarii apostolici ad instar (sc. participantium)”, who are appointed by the pope and have the same external insignia as the real prothonotaries; the “Protonotarii titulares seu honorarii”, who are found outside of Rome, and who may receive this dignity from the nuncios or as a special privilege. The privileges, dress, and insignia of the members of these four classes are exactly defined by the above mentioned Motu Proprio.
See the bibliography of PRELATE.
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J.P. KIRSCH Transcribed by Douglas J. Potter Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XIICopyright © 1911 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, June 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., CensorImprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York