What is a papal investigation?

Answer 1

A papal investigation is an investigation called for by the pope to look into a organization or institute that are doing things that are wrong, immoral, and against the teachings of the Catholic Church. He always appoints a committee to conduct the investigation which usually lasts a few months or a couple years. the committee is always led by a bishop---usually an archbishop or a cardinal and the committee may contain other bishops, priests, canon lawyers, and perhaps deacons. After an investigation the leading bishop of the investigating committee writes a report of their findings of the group in question and he (the bishop) sends his report to the pope who reviews it after a few cardinals in the Roman Curia reviews the report. After that, the pope will make his final decision on whether the group in question is guilty and innocent; if guilty the pope will decide the punishment which may be excommunication or in most cases nowadays a major overhaul reform of the former group in question. the reforming of the group may be conducted by the investigating bishop and his investigating committee or a new committee.