Pontifical Central Commission for Sacred Art
The Pontifical Central Commission for Sacred Art oversees, in Italy, the preservation and enhancement of the Church’s artistic heritage through general actions of direction, inspection, and promotion, as well as through specific assistance and oversight of diocesan commissions for sacred art. It was established on 19 September 1924 by a circular from the Secretariat of State of His Holiness and has remained under the direct jurisdiction of that Secretariat, while maintaining relations with other ecclesiastical Congregations and Dicasteries. The founding statute appointed the first members, numbering twenty-four in total: twelve liturgists, art historians, etc.; four engineers and architects; four painters; and four sculptors. The number of members has been significantly increased since Pope Pius XII, with the aim of promoting and regulating the work of reconstruction and restoration of churches and ecclesiastical buildings destroyed or damaged by the war in Italy, decreed that such work should be carried out under the direction of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Art (letter from the Secretariat of State, 31 October 1944).
The Commission’s first act was the publication of a pamphlet titled *Disposizioni pontificie in materia d’arte sacra* [Pontifical Dispositions on Sacred Art], which included the circular from the Secretariat of State, outlined practical norms for the safeguarding and enhancement of sacred artistic heritage, summarized the relevant articles of the Code of Canon Law, and provided models for the cataloguing and inventory forms required of diocesan commissions. In 1933, another pamphlet, *Il monito del Sommo Pontefice in materia di arte sacra* [The Admonition of the Supreme Pontiff on Sacred Art], commented on important declarations by Pius XI. Other organizational publications provided diocesan commissions with a model statute, practical guidelines regarding relations between patrons and artists, and so forth.
The Commission has also generously promoted, organized, and directed the Weeks of Sacred Art for the clergy, which were held annually in the autumn from 1933 to 1939 in Rome or in other cities particularly noted for centenaries or other solemn artistic events. The list of locations is as follows: Rome 1933, Rome 1934, Ferrara 1935, Rome 1936, Florence 1937, Naples 1938, Venice 1939. The volumes of proceedings published to date for the first five weeks bear witness to the cultural, programmatic, and organizational achievements attained. The variety of topics covered renders them an indispensable encyclopedia for those concerned with the problems of art in the house of God.
The Commission’s efforts to establish and stimulate the functioning of diocesan commissions have been highly effective; inventories and lists already submitted by some of these commissions constitute invaluable material. The Commission has examined countless projects and resolved numerous disputes, not only at the request of diocesan commissions but also at the invitation of civil authorities and foreign institutions.