Summary
Three and a half years after Bishop of Lugano’s resignation, the Diocese of Lugano remains in an institutional uncertainty. The situation has transformed from a temporary measure under canon law – appointing Monsignor Alain Raemy as an Apostolic Administrator for the dioceses of Lausanne-Geneva-Fribourg – into a stable state with significant pastoral, legal, and organizational repercussions. This prolonged vacancy was attributed to Pope Francis’s management during his papacy, which at times left dioceses in extended suspension without clear institutional responsibility. The most followed daily newspaper Il Mattino reported on this scenario in February 15, 2026. The article by Giorgio Rossi, the mayor of industrialized and wealthy Manno, detailed the broader context of the crisis stemming from previous Roman church leadership in episcopal appointments. Under Canon law principles, an Apostolic Administrator is appointed for a limited time to hold an ordinarius’s office without establishing permanent governance structures. In Lugano’s case, successive interventions have included reorganization of departments, redistribution of responsibilities, and clarification of competencies leading to a significant centralization of decision-making processes. This has created internal complexities, particularly within the clergy body, characterized by dynamics of inclusion and exclusion in decision-making and widespread uncertainty regarding roles, safeguards, and future prospects. The article highlights key issues: when an interim measure without full episcopal legitimacy turns into de facto governance? And what are the authorities’ responsibilities to ensure such a situation doesn’t extend beyond reasonable limits, impacting sensitive areas like ecclesiastical property management? In this context, the hope is that Pope Leo’s new pontificate will restore order and clarity under canon law, restoring pastoral responsibility. This intervention echoes actions already underway in other institutions within the Roman Curia, where signs of restructuring and adherence to established rules are emerging.
Key Topics
Vatican City, Lugano Diocese, Amministratore Apostolico
