Canon Law Thirteenth in a Series on Canon Law

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CANON LAW THIRTEENTH IN A SERIES ON CANON LAW

"Holding Fast to the Mission and Works Proper to the Institute

anon 677.1 states: "Superiors and members the institute's purpose or specific objectives. It is BY SR. MARLENE are faithfully to hold fast to the mission and critical to acknowledge the distinction between WEISENBECK, FSPA, Cworks which are proper to their institute. an institute's purpose and the specific means of PhDJCL According to the needs of the time and place, accomplishing that purpose. A preferential option however, they are prudently to adapt them, mak for the poor must be discerned in light of those ing use of new and appropriate means." This most in need and must respond to the analysis of canon is found in Book II of the Code of Canon contemporary situations in light of the Gospel. Law, in which canons 673-677 treat specifically For example, an institute founded to care for the apostolate of religious institutes. women and children in the 19th century, accord Charity and right relationships bind religious ing to the needs of that time, might adapt this institutes to the service of God's people through foundational purpose in the 21st century through the works that are theirs, that is, those that are dis- involvement in the rescue of women trafficked for Sr. Marlene tincdy bound to the foundation of the institute sexual exploitation. The means of accomplishing is president, itself or are a fruit of the sound traditions of the this purpose can be multifaceted—for example, Franciscan religious family.1 Paragraph 37 of Pope John Paul lobbying, education, working with law enforce Sisters of IPs 1996 apostolic exhortation Vita Consecrata ment agencies, setting up houses for receiving the Perpetual issued a call to perseverance, competence in person rescued, and other means of service. Change is Adoration, al work, and a dynamic fidelity to mission, adapting appropriate according to time and place. LaCrosse, WI. forms of service to new situations and needs. Con Many more examples of holding fast to the secrated persons are reminded to look to their Rule mission and works proper to the institute are wit of Life as a reliable source of criteria to discern and nessed today in the vibrant collaboration of reli respond to contemporary needs without departing gious institutes with the laity. The ministries of from the institute's original inspiration.2 health care and education exemplify courage, The documents on consecrated life have consis interdependence, and inventiveness in the tently urged institutes of consecrated life to pro staffing, administration, and corporate sponsor pose enterprising initiatives in response to the signs ship of these great services to humanity. The of the times in today's world. Starting Afresh from Christ states that "every new attempt at renewal can be seen as a new impetus for the evan Charity and right relationships bind gelizing mission. . . . This is a time when the Spirit is breaking forth, opening up new possibilities."3 religious institutes to the service of Religious institutes are prompted to "creativity, wisdom and dialogue among members of the insti God's people through the works that tute, among institutes with similar works, and with are theirs, that is, those that are dis those responsible for the local Church ... in order to find the right answers" to further the great tinctly bound to the foundation of the works of their respective charisms.4 institute itself or are a fruit of the sound WHAT ARE AN INSTITUTE'S "PROPER" WORKS? The works "proper" to an institute are to be traditions of the religious family. understood in a broad sense. They correspond to

HEALTH PROGRESS JULY - AUGUST 2007 • 13 THE CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION

CANON LAW

Congregation for Institutes of Conse them and gives a visible physiognomy crated Life and Societies of Apostolic to their ministerial witness.9 Renewal of Life has looked upon these endeavors as an institute's works requires a dynamic vital relationships for the sake of fur fidelity, often calling the members to thering God's mission by granting places they never imagined going. Our them public juridic status in the church. present Holy Father tells us, "As a com A , Likewise, religious institutes invite and munity, the Church must practice love. £ ShaHgd Statement of Identity share practices of prayer with the Love needs to be organized if it is to be church at large,5 communicate congre an ordered service to the community."10 For the Catholic Health Ministry gational charisms with innumerable lay Such has been the case as religious insti e are the people ol Catholic associates and affiliates (Canons 303 tutes have adapted their ministries to and 677.2), and enter into common present realities while being faithful to health care, a ministry ol the ministries on a global level.6 These are the mission and works proper to their church continuing Jesus truly visible signs of a spirituality of institutes. • W 7 mission ol love ana healing today. As communion, of a dialogue of charity reflecting a thirst for encountering the provider, employer, advocate, citizen— Christ of the third millennium in active bringing together people ol diverse laiths and contemplative forms of love. NOTES and backgrounds— our ministry is an enduring sign ol health care rooted in our A DYNAMIC FIDELITY 1. Pope Paul VI, Perfectae Caritatis (Decree Obstacles to creative fidelity in the 21st on the Adaptation and Renewal of Reli belie! that every person is a treasure, every gious Life), October 28,1965, para. 20. century might demonstrate themselves lile a sacred gift, every human being a unity 2. Pope John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, March in world-weariness, lack of will, resis 25, 1996, para. 37. ol body, mind, and spirit. tant attitudes toward institutional forms 3. Congregation for Institutes of Consecrat of mission, or an inability to appreciate ed Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, We work to bring alive the Gospel vision the original apostolates of the founders Starting Afresh from Christ: A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in the ol justice and peace. We answer God s as they have developed today. Third Millennium, May 19, 2002, paras. 9 call to loster healing, act with compassion, The apostolate is inherent in religious and 10. life through the individual's witness of 4. Congregation for Institutes of Consecrat and promote wellness lor all persons and consecrated life, expressed through a ed Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, communities, with special attention to contemplative union with God; para. 19. 5. See Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Ado our neighbors who are poor, underserved, through public apostolic action per ration Prayer Partner Ministry, La Crosse, formed in the name of the church; and Wl (www.fspa.org/prayer/partners.asp). and most vulnerable. By our service, we through the practice of works of mercy, 6. See Franciscan Common Venture strive to translorm hurt into hope, ^tt both spiritual and corporal. The fruit- (www.franciscancommonventure.org) and "Congregation of African Sisters Travels fulness of these means lies mainly in the to Philadelphia to Receive Technology As the church s ministry ol health care, faithfulness to the foundational charism Training at Chestnut Hill College on we commit to: of the institute. By virtue of one's pro September 28th," Business Wire, fession as a member of the institute, the September 23, 2004 (www.findarticles. • Promote and Delend Human Dig individual religious becomes a partner com/p/articles/ mi_mOEIN/is_2004_ nity Sept_23/ai_n6209013). in an apostolic service for which the 7. Pope John Paul II, paras. 46 and 47. • Attend to the Whole Person institute was founded. To remove a reli 8. E. Caparros, M. Theriault, and J. Thorn, • Care lor Poor and Vulnerable Per gious from the sphere to which he or eds., Code of Canon Law Annotated, Wil she belongs according to his or her son & Lafleur Limitee, Montreal, Quebec, sons vocation is juridically questionable.8 pp. 460-461. 9. Pope John Paul II in speeches to Brazilian • Promote the Common Good Thus the principles established in men and women religious, July 3,1980, • Act on Behalt ol Justice canons 673-677 are of a theological referenced in E. Gambari, Religious Life nature with clear canonical effects. According to Vatican II and the New Code • Steward Resources of Canon Law, Daughters of St. Paul, Pope John Paul II recommended Boston, 1986, p. 422. • Act in Communion with the that religious institutes be faithful to 10. Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, Church the Gospel vision that characterizes December 25, 2005, para. 20.

14 • JULY - AUGUST 2007 HEALTH PROGRESS JOURNAL OF THE CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES www.chausa.org

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