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BENEDICT XVI’S ‘MOTU PROPRIO’ — WHAT IS ITS SCOPE?

ne of Benedict XVI’s last canonical documents addressed to the entire church is his motu proprio (of his own accord) on the service of charity within the community. OThis document, dated Nov. 11, 2012, was issued on Dec. 1, 2012, and is now known by the terms Intima Ecclesiae Natura (on the church’s deepest nature). It wishes to establish a juridical framework suitably adapted to the need for coordinating, at least in general, the various ways in which the church’s service of charity is imparted. There were two principal un- The major question asked so derlying motives for this docu- ment: to ensure that gifts given far about this document is: by the faithful for a specific pur- pose are indeed used for that to whom does it apply? purpose, and to clarify the role of the in coordi- not making the funds available for purposes of nating works of charity. In addi- evangelization. But the motu proprio, and ensu- FR. FRANCIS tion, other considerations were ing commentary about it, make it very clear now raised: to avoid financial scan- that both dimensions are essential and must be G. MORRISEY dals (if, for instance, excessive respected. As Cardinal O. Rodriguez, the presi- salaries were paid to executives, dent of , stated in Decem- or money was not used for the purpose for which ber 2012, “Evangelization is incomplete without it was donated); to avoid doctrinal pitfalls which human promotion.” confuse the faithful (for instance, by supporting Bishops are therefore called upon to show a works that directly contravene church policy); concrete and visible commitment to the service and to set up an overriding agency to oversee of charity in the church, promoting communion these activities, thus avoiding a risk of abuse of and dialogue among the various agencies and power at the local and national levels. seeking to avoid an unnecessary proliferation of Because the Cor Unum now such activities. exercises this role of oversight, we can expect it to There is also concern for the proper obser- issue regulations to ensure the document is prop- vance of applicable civil legislation. erly applied. On Jan. 19, 2013, Pope Benedict spoke Intima Ecclesiae Natura distinguishes clearly to Cor Unum and mentioned: “With my recent between initiatives of bishops and those of the motu proprio Intima Ecclesiae Natura, I wanted to faithful in general. Nevertheless, both are subject reassert the ecclesial significance of your work. to the oversight of the diocesan bishop. But, in the Your witness can open the door of faith to many perspective of private initiatives, the major ques- persons who seek the love of Christ.” tion asked so far about this document is: to whom This is the context in which to receive the does it apply? The Pope, in Article 1.3, speaks of document: a means of opening the door of faith to “the collective charitable initiatives to which this those who seek the love of Christ. Motu Proprio refers.” Thus, for instance, a num- There is no doubt that Intima Ecclesiae Na- ber of private initiatives, such as those of the St. tura is timely. For instance, some bishops had Vincent de Paul Society, or those of the Knights of complained that money from the faithful was be- Columbus, are not Church works. ing used for purposes not in accord with church In these cases, they would be guided by any gov- teaching; likewise, that some agencies were sim- erning documents that are in effect and not by the ply promoting social development projects and norms of the document.

82 MAY - JUNE 2013 www.chausa.org HEALTH PROGRESS Likewise, it is obvious, to me at least, that the upon him do not receive financial support document does not intend to address simply any from groups or institutions that pursue type of activity that could be identified as “chari- ends contrary to Church’s teaching. Simi- table.” Rather, its focus is on fundraising efforts to larly, lest scandal be given to the faithful, support the church’s works of charity. Thus, for the diocesan Bishop is to ensure that these instance, although offering health care is certainly charitable agencies do not accept contri- a charitable activity, or offering bursaries for edu- butions for initiatives whose ends, or the cation is another form of charity, these activities means used to pursue them, are not in con- do not now come under the scope of Intima Eccle- formity with the Church’s teaching. siae Natura and the immediate supervision of the diocesan bishop in relation to their finances. Some persons thought the paragraph meant Instead, it seems that the text refers to works that no Catholic charitable agency could accept such as those of , Pon- any government funding for its activities, but tifical Mission Societies, Development and Peace, Giovanni Dal Toso, the secretary of , Caritas and the like in other Cor Unum, clarified this point shortly after the countries. document was issued. The text refers instead to In Intima Ecclesiae Natura, there are four a specific program that goes against the church’s points of particular interest that should be noted: teaching. Funds cannot be accepted for such a Those who are entrusted with these works of program but may be received for other activities charity carried out on behalf of the church are to that are in conformity with church teaching. see their work as part of a ministry, and not simply as a means of employment or just another form of Intima Ecclesiae Natura refers to the dioc- organized social assistance. esan bishop’s supervisory role. This, obviously, According to Article 7, those in charge are does not entail operations. The focus, rather, is required to select their personnel from among on the Catholic identity of the activity. The docu- persons who share, or at least respect, the Cath- ment is quite clear on the fact that the internal olic identity of these works. Likewise, those autonomy of each of the various charitable works who become responsible for works of this kind is to be respected. are to be given proper theological and pastoral formation, and they are to be fully informed of If Intima Ecclesiae Natura is applied correctly the distinctive approach and understanding and consistently, it will most certainly help clarify of the human person that the church brings to a number of points that have been raised in recent such activity. This provision mirrors the current times as to the scope of a number of charitable ac- practice that we find for the preparation of new tivities. It will give even greater credibility to the leadership in our Catholic health care systems, call given for support of these various undertak- especially through the various collaborative for- ings, and it will ensure that, as much as possible, mation programs. It is interesting to see how the the church’s mission of charity — an essential church is now building on what was initially pro- component of its being — will be furthered and posed for one specific apostolate. fostered. A third point, at first sight, appears to be more delicate. Article 10.3 states: Fr. FRANCIS G. MORRISEY, OMI, J.C.D., Ph.D., is In particular, the diocesan Bishop is to en- professor emeritus, of , sure that charitable agencies dependent Paul University, Ottawa, Canada.

HEALTH PROGRESS www.chausa.org MAY - JUNE 2013 83 JOURNAL OF THE CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES www.chausa.org

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Reprinted from Health Progress, May-June 2013 Copyright © 2013 by The Catholic Health Association of the United States