ministerio

Ministerio is a term used in Spanish-speaking countries to designate a government department within the executive branch, headed by a minister. The ministry is responsible for a policy area such as health, education, defense, or finance, and forms part of the cabinet. In some countries the same function is called Secretaría de ..., Departamento, or similar, but Ministerio remains the common form in many administrations.

The word derives from Latin ministerium, from minister meaning servant or attendant, reflecting the notion of service to the public. A ministry typically includes policy development, regulatory authority, program administration, budgeting, and the supervision of subordinate agencies or directorates. The minister is usually appointed by the head of government and is accountable to the legislature; the ministry's day-to-day operations are managed by civil servants and subordinate officials, sometimes with deputies or vice ministers.

Political ministries coordinate with other ministries on cross-cutting issues and may undergo reshuffles following elections or changes in government. They are part of the broader public administration and are distinct from legislative or judicial bodies.

Religiously, the term ministerio also denotes service in a church or religious organization. It can describe the work of clergy, missionaries, or lay members engaged in pastoral care, education, worship leadership, or charitable activities. In this sense, a ministry is a calling or assigned function aimed at serving members of the faith community.

Overall, "ministerio" encompasses both the institutional units of modern states and the broader concept of service-oriented religious work, depending on context.