The conditions for the canonical erection of a house of religious are indicated in canons 608-611 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. [1]
The conditions for the canonical erection of a house of religious are indicated in canons 608-611 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. [1]
A community of religious must live in a lawfully established house with a church or oratory in which the Eucharist is celebrated and reserved. The community is to have a superior designated in accordance with canon law. [2]
The house in which the community resides is distinct from any farm or holiday home that they may also possess. [3]
It is the superior indicated in the constitutions of the religious institute concerned (the superior general or the provincial) who is to establish the house after obtaining in writing the consent of bishop of the diocese. In addition, the permission of the Holy See is required for establishing a monastery of nuns. [4] The word "nuns" applies in canon law to women religious whose vows are classified as solemn. These normally live a contemplative cloistered life of meditation and prayer. Other women religious do not need permission from the Holy See to establish a new house.
In 451, the Council of Chalcedon laid down the condition of the assent of the bishop. Privileges granted to the mendicant orders in the 13th century caused frequent derogations from the law, but the Council of Trent restored the ancient discipline (Sess. XXV, de Reg., cap. iii). The term used in the Code of Canon Law is "bishop", not "ordinary". Accordingly, the required permission cannot be given by a vicar-general or a diocesan administrator. The permission of the parish priest of the place is not required. [3]
Consideration must be given to the advantage that is to accrue to the Church and the religious institute from establishment of the house and to the requirements for the members to live their religious life properly. A prudent judgment that the sustenance of the community will be provided for is also a condition. [5]
Once it has obtained the consent of the bishop for the establishment of the house, the religious community has the right
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In the Catholic Church, a religious order is a community of consecrated life with members that profess solemn vows. According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, they are classed as a type of religious institute.
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This is a glossary of terms used within the Catholic Church.
A religious institute is a type of institute of consecrated life in the Catholic Church where its members take religious vows and lead a life in community with fellow members. Religious institutes are one of the two types of institutes of consecrated life; the other is that of the secular institute, where its members are "living in the world".
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