Gianfranco Girotti

Who is Gianfranco Girotti?

Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv. is Regent Emeritus of the Apostolic Penitentiary since his retirement on 26 June 2012. He served as regent from 16 February 2002 until 2012. He had previously served as Under-Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rome on 17 February 1963 at the age of 25. He later became a member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. He completed his studies in Rome and obtained a baccalaureate in philosophy from the Pontifical Urbaniana University, a licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontifical Theological Faculty "St. Bonaventure", a doctorate utroque jure from the Pontifical Lateran University and a lawyer's diploma from the Roman Rota.

In his order he was Assistant General for legal problems and Attorney General of the Order. In 1969 he was appointed Under-Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and acted as Head of the Discipline Section. He was also professor at the Pontifical Urban University, teaching Law on the Institutes of Consecrated Life, and was a judge at the ecclesiastical tribunal of Lazio.

In 2002 he was appointed the second ranking official, regent, in the Apostolic Penitentiary which deals with the forgiveness of five specific cases: candidates for priesthood who directly participated in an abortion; priests who broke the seal of confession; priests who gave sacramental absolution to a sexual partner of theirs; desecration of the Eucharist; and making an attempt on the life of the pope. At a conference to explain the work Bishop Girotti gave a detailed account of the sending of a case to the Penitentiary, the studies to ensure true repentance by the sinner, and the recommendation of "an appropriate, proportionate penance,". The Apostolic Penitentiary also has other responsibilities, including choosing, training and coordinating the work of the priests who hear confessions in the major basilicas of Rome; promoting appreciation of the sacrament of penance; coordinating the offering of indulgences; and offering an annual course for priests and seminarians on administering the sacrament of penance.