Book2.3

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Canon 631 General Chapter

§1 General chapter has supreme authority in accordance with the constitutions. It represents the whole institute signifying unity in charity. It protects the patrimony of the institute, to foster appropriate, to elect the supreme Moderator, to deals with matters of greater importance, and issues norms.

§2 The composition of the general chapter and the limits of its powers are to be defined in the constitutions. The institute's own law is to determine in further detail the order to be observed in the celebration of the chapter, especially regarding elections and the matters to be treated.


§3 According to the norms determined in the institute's own law, not only provinces and local communities, but also any individual member may freely submit their wishes and suggestions to the general chapter.

Canon 632 Proper Law

The institute's own law is to determine in greater detail matters concerning other chapters and other similar assemblies of the institute, that is, concerning their nature, authority, composition, procedure and time of celebration.

Canon 633 Consultation

§1 Participatory and consultative bodies are faithfully to carry out the task entrusted to them, in accordance with the universal law and the institute's own law. In their own way they are to express the care and participation of all the members for the good of the whole institute or community .


§2 In establishing and utilizing these means of participation and consultation, a wise discernment is to be observed, and the way in which they operate is to be in conformity with the character and purpose of the institute.

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Canon 634 Capacity to Own

§1 Since they are by virtue of the law juridical persons, institutes, provinces and houses have the capacity to acquire, possess, administer and alienate temporal goods, unless this capacity is excluded or limited in the constitutions.


§2 They are, however, to avoid all appearance of luxury, excessive gain and the accumulation of goods.

Canon 635 Ecclesiastical Goods

§1 Since the temporal goods of religious institutes are ecclesiastical goods, they are governed by the provisions of Book V on 'The Temporal Goods of the Church', unless there is express provision to the contrary.


§2 Each institute, however, is to establish suitable norms for the use and administration of goods, so that the poverty proper to the institute may be fostered, defended and expressed.

Canon 636 Separate Finance Officer

§1 In each institute, and in each province ruled by a major Superior, there is to be a financial administrator, distinct from the major Superior and constituted in accordance with the institute's own law. The financial administrator is to administer the goods under the direction of the respective Superior. Even in local communities a financial administrator, distinct from the local Superior, is in so far as possible to be constituted.


§2 At the time and in the manner determined in the institute's own law the financial administrator and others with financial responsibilities are to render an account of their administration to the competent authority.

Canon 637 Autonomous Monasteries

Once a year, the autonomous monasteries mentioned in can. 615 are to render an account of their administration to the local Ordinary. The local Ordinary also has the right to be informed about the financial affairs of a religious house of diocesan right.

Canon 638 Extraordinary Administration

§1 It is for an institute's own law, within the limits of the universal law, to define the acts which exceed the purpose and the manner of ordinary administration, and to establish what is needed for the validity of an act of extraordinary administration.


§2 Besides Superiors, other officials designated for this task in the institute's own law may, within the limits of their office, validly make payments and perform juridical acts of ordinary administration.


§3 For the validity of alienation, and of any transaction by which the patrimonial condition of the juridical person could be adversely affected there is required the written permission of the competent Superior, given with the consent of his or her council. Moreover, the permission of the Holy See is required if the transaction involves a sum exceeding that which the Holy See has determined for each region, or if it concerns things donated to the Church as a result of a vow, or objects which are precious by reason of their artistic or historical value.


§4 For the autonomous monasteries mentioned in can. 615, and for institutes of diocesan right, the written consent of the diocesan Bishop is necessary.

Canon 639 Debts

§1 If a juridical person has contracted debts and obligations, even with the permission of the Superior, it is responsible for them.


§2 If individual members have, with the permission of the Superior, entered into contracts concerning their own property, they are responsible. If, however, they have conducted business for the institute on the mandate of a Superior, the institute is responsible.


§3 If a religious has entered into a contract without any permission of Superiors, the religious is responsible, not the juridical person.


§4 However, an action can always be brought against a person who has gained from a contract entered into.


§5 Superiors are to be careful not to allow debts to be contracted unless they are certain that normal income can service the interest on the debt, and by lawful amortization repay the capital over a period which is not unduly extended.

Canon 640 Collective Testimony

Taking into account the circumstances of the individual places, institutes are to make a special effort to give, as it were, a collective testimony of charity and poverty. They are to do all in their power to donate something from their own resources to help the needs of the Church and the support of the poor.

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Canon 641 Right to Admit

The right to admit candidates to the novitiate belongs to the major Superiors, in accordance with the norms of the institute's own law.

Canon 642 Diligence in Screening

Superiors are to exercise a vigilant care to admit only those who, besides being of required age, are healthy, have a suitable disposition, and have sufficient maturity to undertake the life which is proper to the institute. If necessary, the health, disposition and maturity are to be established by experts, without prejudice to can. 220.

Canon 643 Requirements

§1 The following are invalidly admitted to the novitiate:


1° One who has not yet completed the seventeenth year of age;


2° a spouse, while the marriage lasts;


3° one who is currently bound by a sacred bond to some institute of consecrated life, or is incorporated in some society of apostolic life, without prejudice to can. 684;


4° one who enters the institute through force, fear or deceit, or whom the Superior accepts under the same influences;


5° one who has concealed his or her incorporation in an institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life.


§2 An institute's own law can constitute other impediments even for the validity of admission, or attach other conditions.

Canon 644 Secular Clerics

Superiors are not to admit secular clerics to the novitiate without consulting their proper Ordinary; nor those who have debts which they are unable to meet.

Canon 645 Suitability

§1 Before candidates are admitted to the novitiate they must produce proof of baptism and confirmation, and of their free status.


§2 The admission of clerics or others who had been admitted to another institute of consecrated life, to a society of apostolic life, or to a seminary, requires in addition the testimony of, respectively, the local Ordinary, or the major Superior of the institute or society, or the rector of the seminary.


§3 An institute's own law can demand further proofs concerning the suitability of candidates and their freedom from any impediment.


§4 The Superiors can seek other information, even under secrecy, if this seems necessary to them.

====ARTICLE 2: NOVITIATE AND THE FORMATION OF NOVICES==== English Latin
Canon 646 Purpose

The purpose of the novitiate, by which life in an institute begins, is to give the novices a greater understanding of their divine vocation, and of their vocation to that institute. During the novitiate the novices are to experience the manner of life of the institute and form their minds and hearts in its spirit. At the same time their resolution and suitability are to be tested.

Canon 647 Novitiate House

§1 The establishment, transfer and suppression of a novitiate house are to take place by a written decree of the supreme Moderator of the institute, given with the consent of the council.


§2 To be valid, a novitiate must take place in a house which is duly designated for this purpose. In particular cases and by way of exception and with the permission of the supreme Moderator given with the consent of the council, a candidate can make the novitiate in another house of the institute, under the direction of an approved religious who takes the place of the director of novices.


§3 A major Superior can allow a group of novices to reside, for a certain period of time, in another specified house of the institute.

Canon 648 Length of Novitiate

§1 For validity, the novitiate must comprise twelve months spent in the novitiate community, without prejudice to the provision of can. 647 §3.


§2 To complete the formation of the novices, the constitutions can prescribe, in addition to the time mentioned in §1, one or more periods of apostolic activity, to be performed outside the novitiate community.


§3 The novitiate is not to be extended beyond two years.

Canon 649 Time Away

§1 Without prejudice to the provisions of can. 647 §3, and can. 648 §2, a novitiate is invalidated by an absence from the novitiate house of more than three months, continuous or broken. Any absence of more than fifteen days must be made good.


§2 With the permission of the competent major Superior, first profession may be anticipated, though not by more than fifteen days.

Canon 650 Object of Novitiate

§1 The object of the novitiate demands that novices be formed under the supervision of the director of novices, in a manner of formation to be defined by the institute's own law.


§2 The governance of the novices is reserved to the director of novices alone, under the authority of the major Superiors.

Canon 651 Director of Novices

§1 The director of novices is to be a member of the institute who has taken perpetual vows and has been lawfully designated.


§2 If need be, directors of novices may be given assistants, who are subject to them in regard to the governance of the novitiate and the manner of formation.


§3 Those in charge of the formation of novices are to be members who have been carefully prepared, and who are not burdened with other tasks, so that they may discharge their office fruitfully and in a stable fashion.

Canon 652 Responsibilities

§1 It is the responsibility of the directors of novices and their assistants to discern and test the vocation of the novices, and gradually to form them to lead the life of perfection which is proper to the institute.


§2 Novices are to be led to develop human and Christian virtues. Through prayer and self-denial they are to be introduced to a fuller way of perfection. They are to be instructed in contemplating the mystery of salvation, and in reading and meditating on the sacred Scriptures. Their preparation is to enable them to develop their worship of God in the sacred liturgy. They are to learn how to lead a life consecrated to God and their neighbor in Christ through the evangelical counsels. They are to learn about the character and spirit of the institute, its purpose and discipline, its history and life, and be imbued with a love for the Church and its sacred Pastors.


§3 Novices, conscious of their own responsibility, are to cooperate actively with the director of novices, so that they may faithfully respond to the grace of their divine vocation.


§4 By the example of their lives and by prayer, the members of the institute are to ensure that they do their part in assisting the work of formation of the novices.


§5 The period of novitiate mentioned in can. 648 §1, is to be set aside exclusively for the work of formation. The novices are therefore not to be engaged in studies or duties which do not directly serve this formation.

Canon 653 Free to Leave

§1 A novice may freely leave the institute. The competent authority of the institute may also dismiss a novice.


§2 On the completion of the novitiate, a novice, if judged suitable, is to be admitted to temporary profession; otherwise the novice is to be dismissed. If a doubt exists concerning suitability, the time of probation may be prolonged by the major Superior, in accordance with the institute's own law, but for a period not exceeding six months.

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Canon 654 Profession

By religious profession members make a public vow to observe the three evangelical counsels. Through the ministry of the Church they are consecrated to God, and are incorporated into the institute, with the rights and duties defined by law.

Canon 655 Length of temporary Profession

Temporary profession is to be made for the period defined by the institute's own law. This period may not be less than three years nor longer than six years.

Canon 656 Valid Temporary Profession

The validity of temporary profession requires:


1° that the person making it has completed at least the eighteenth year of age;


2° that the novitiate has been made validly;


3° that admission has been granted, freely and in accordance with the norms of law, by the competent Superior, after a vote of his or her council;


4° that the profession be explicit and made without force, fear or deceit;


5° that the profession be received by the lawful Superior, personally or through another.

Canon 657 Perpetual Profession

§1 When the period of time for which the profession was made has been completed, a religious who freely asks, and is judged suitable, is to be admitted to a renewal of profession or to perpetual profession; otherwise, the religious is to leave.

§2 If it seems opportune, the period of temporary profession can be extended by the competent Superior in accordance with the institute's own law. The total time during which the member is bound by temporary vows may not, however, extend beyond nine years.


§3 Perpetual profession can for a just reason be anticipated, but not by more than three months.

Canon 658 Requirements

Besides the conditions mentioned in can. 656, nn. 3, 4 and 5, and others attached by the institute's own law, the validity of perpetual profession requires:


1° that the person has completed at least the twenty-first year of age;


2° that there has been previous temporary profession for at least three years, without prejudice to the provision of can. 657 §3.

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Canon 659 Temporary Professed

§1 After first profession, the formation of all members in each institute is to be completed, so that they may lead the life proper to the institute more fully, and fulfill its mission more effectively.


§2 The institute's own law is, therefore, to define the nature and duration of this formation. In this, the needs of the Church and the conditions of people and times are to be kept in mind, insofar as this is required by the purpose and the character of the institute.


§3 The formation of members who are being prepared for sacred orders is governed by the universal law and the institute's own program of studies.

Canon 660 Systematic Formation

§1 Formation is to be systematic, adapted to the capacity of the members, spiritual and apostolic, both doctrinal and practical. Suitable ecclesiastical and civil degrees are to be obtained as opportunity offers.


§2 During the period of formation members are not to be given offices and undertakings which hinder their formation.

Canon 661 Ongoing Formation

Religious are to be diligent in continuing their spiritual, doctrinal and practical formation throughout their lives. Superiors are to ensure that they have the assistance and the time to do this.

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Canon 662 Following Christ

Religious are to find their supreme rule of life in the following of Christ as proposed in the Gospel and as expressed in the constitutions of their own institute. Supreme law is the following of Christ – all the rest of the canons are the means. Following Christ is lived according to the particular expression of the religious institute. Sources: 593; LG 46; PC 1-2a; PO 18; ES 11; ET 12. Connection: 573, 598ss, 607, 654.

Canon 663 Prayer

§1 The first and principal duty of all religious is to be the contemplation of things divine and constant union with God in prayer. Religious are transformed in and into contemplation; no longer a religious who prays, but a religious prayer.


§2 Each day the members are to make every effort to participate in the Eucharistic sacrifice, receive the most holy Body of Christ and adore the Lord himself present in the Sacrament. Eucharist center of life – also linked to 608 requiring an oratory in the house. To the degree it is possible – in 1917 it was the superior who regulated. Absolute respect for conscience is proposed here. Only excluded are those excommunicates / interdicted, etc. 912, 915, 1331, 1332. For clerics, EM and ICM say you can't impose concelebration or forbid individual celebration.


§3 They are to devote themselves to reading the sacred Scriptures and to mental prayer. In accordance with the provisions of their own law, they are to celebrate the liturgy of the hours worthily, without prejudice to the obligation of clerics mentioned in can. 276, §2, n.3. They are also to perform other exercises of piety. Lectio divina is one method; meditation is another. Constitutions should fix the modalities and times and communitarian practices.


§4 They are to have a special devotion to the Virgin Mother of God, the example and protectress of all consecrated life, including by way of the rosary. Devotion colored by the particular spirituality of the institute is recommended; rosary is recommended, not required. Develop in the light of canons: 246.3, 276.2.3 5, & 1186.


§5 They are faithfully to observe the period of annual retreat. This is a seal on the spiritual journey. The constitutions supply the modality, type, duration, in accord with ancient practice of 5, 6 or 8 days. Also there are the periodic days of retreat, reflection and desert.

Sources:

1. CD 33; PC 2,5,6; PO 18; RC 5; VS V; ET 42, 43, 45; MR, 16, 24; LMR II: 1
   

2. 125.2; 595.1.2, 2; 610.2; PC 6; PO 18; ET 47, 48; MF 771; LMR II:9
   

3. 125.2; 595.1.2; 610.1 3; PC 6; OT 8; DV 25; PO 18; ES II: 21; SCR Rescr., 17 aug 1967, 1; VS II; ET 42, 43, 45; MR 24; LMR II:8, 12
   

4. 125.2; LG 65; OT 8; Paulus PP. VI, adh Ap. Signum magnum, 13 maii 1967, II (AAS 59 [1967] 471); ET 56, Paulus PP. VI, Adh. Ap. Marialis cultus, 2 feb. 1974, 21, 49 (AAS 66 [1974] 132-133, 158-159); LMR II: 13
   

5. 126, 595.1.1; PO 18; ET 35
   

Connections: 246.3, 276.2.3 5, 608, 912, 915, 1331-1332, 1186
Canon 664 Conversion

Religious are earnestly to strive for the conversion of soul to God. They are to examine their consciences daily, and to approach the sacrament of penance frequently. Sources: 125.1, 595.1.3; PO 18; Paen IIIe; SCRIS Decr. Dum canonicarum legum, 8, dec 1970, 3 (AAS 63 [1971] 318); LMR II: 10. Connections: 630 – provision of confessor and freedom of conscience. This canon is closely linked with the one before both in content and in legislative sources.

Canon 665 Religious Houses

Canon 666 Social Communication

In using the means of social communication, a necessary discretion is to be observed. Members are to avoid whatever is harmful to their vocation and dangerous to the chastity of a consecrated person. Vatican 2 reversed early magisterial denunciations of new media, proclaiming the means of social communication to be marvelous inventions and tools for evangelization. This has no source in the 1917 code, but here puts the responsibility on the member. Sources: SCS Notif., 10 jul 1957; SCR Lit. cir., 6 aug 1957; IM 9, 10; SCS Instr., 15 jul. 1964; PC 12; ES I: 25.2a,b; CICS Instr. Communio et progression, 21 maii 1971, 64-70 (AAS 63 [1971] 617-620); ET 46; LMR II: 14. Connections: 598.1, 607, 662-664, 822-832 (on means of communication in Book Three - Teaching Office)

Canon 667 Enclosure

§1 In accordance with the institute's own law, there is to be in all houses an enclosure appropriate to the character and mission of the institute. Some part of the house is always to be reserved to the members alone. N: Cloister establishes a zone of privacy for the community such as Canon 220 provides for the individual; restricting the right of ingress of nonmembers and the right of egress of members. It is much more flexible than the 1917 code and much is left to the constitutions. Sources: 604.1,2; SCR Rescr., 17 aug 1967, 3; ET 46


§2 A stricter discipline of enclosure is to be observed in monasteries which are devoted to the contemplative life. Sources: 597-599; PC 16; ES II: 30; VS VII: 1,2


§3 Monasteries of cloistered nuns who are wholly devoted to the contemplative life, must observe papal enclosure, that is, in accordance with the norms given by the Apostolic See (Venite Seorsum). Other monasteries of cloistered nuns are to observe an enclosure which is appropriate to their nature and is defined in the constitutions. Sources: 597.1, 600-603; CI Resp. III, 1 mar. 1921 (AAS 13 [1921] 177); SCR Instr. Nuper edito, 6 feb. 1924 (AAS 16 [1924] 96-101); SCR Instr. Inter cetera, 25 mar. 1956 (AAS 48 [1956] 512-526); SpC IV; SCR Instr. Inter praeclara, 23 nov. 1950, I-XVI (AAS 43 [1951] 37-41); PC 7, 16; ES II: 30-32; VS VII: 1-17


§4 The diocesan Bishop has the faculty of entering, for a just reason, the enclosure of cloistered nuns whose monasteries are situated in his diocese. For a grave reason and with the assent of the Abbess, he can permit others to be admitted to the enclosure, and permit the nuns to leave the enclosure for whatever time is truly necessary. N: Entrance requires: authorization of the bishop, consent of the Abbess and a grave and just cause - consent of the abbess is not in PM 34, but was introduced in the code; likewise, privileges for heads of state from the 1917 code are abolished. Healthcare, technical services, etc have always been permitted. Sources: cc 600.1, 4, 601; PM 34; SCRIS Decl., 2 jan. 1970

Connections: 6.1.2,3, 17, 90, 127, 220, 607.3
Canon 668 Poverty

§1 Before their first profession, members are to cede the administration of their goods to whomsoever they wish and, unless the constitutions provide otherwise, they are freely to make dispositions concerning the use and enjoyment of these goods. At least before perpetual profession, they are to make a will which is valid also in civil law. N:se practical norms are linked to Canon 600 on the vow of poverty. Sources: 569.1,3, 580.1 CI Resp 9, 16 oct 1919 (AAS 11 [1919] 478); SCR Resp., 26 mar. 1957; SCR Resp., 1 mar 1958; AIE 6


§2 To change these dispositions for a just reason, and to take any action concerning temporal goods, there is required the permission of the Superior who is competent in accordance with the institute's own law. Sources: 580.3, 583.2; CA 17; SCR Decr. Religionum laicalium, 31 maii 1966, 6 (AAS 59 [1967] 363); SCRIS Decr. Cum superiores generales, 27 nov 1969 (AAS 61 [1969] 738-739)


§3 Whatever a religious acquires by personal labor, or on behalf of the institute, belongs to the institute. Whatever comes to a religious in any way through pension, grant or insurance also passes to the institute, unless the institute's own law decrees otherwise. N: As an integral part of the institute, the member receives all necessaries from the institute: Canons 654 670. 580.1,2 582, 594.2; SCR Resp., 16 mar 1922 (AAS 14 [1922] 196-197); PC 13; ES ii: 23; ET21


§4 When the nature of an institute requires members to renounce their goods totally, this renunciation is to be made before perpetual profession and, as far as possible, in a form that is valid also in civil law; it shall come into effect from the day of profession. The same procedure is to be followed by a perpetually professed religious who, in accordance with the norms of the institute's own law and with the permission of the supreme Moderator, wishes to renounce goods, in whole or in part. 581; CA 16; ES II: 24; SCR Decr. Religionum laicalium, 31 maii 1966, 6 (AAS 59 [1967] 363)


§5 Professed religious who, because of the nature of their institute, totally renounce their goods, lose the capacity to acquire and possess goods; actions of theirs contrary to the vow of poverty are therefore invalid. Whatever they acquire after renunciation belongs to the institute, in accordance with the institute's own law. 579, 582.1

Connections: 600, 653.2, 654, 670, 1192.2
Canon 669 Sign of Consecration

§1 As a sign of their consecration and as a witness to poverty, religious are to wear the habit of their institute, determined in accordance with the institute's own law. N: If there is no habit of the institute, they wear simple clothing of the region. Sources 596; SCR Notif., 6 feb. 1965; PC 17; SCR Rescr., 17 aug. 1967, 2; SCRIS Normae, 8 jun. 1970; ET 22; SCRIS Notif., 25 feb. 1972; SCRIS Notif mar 1974; SCRIS Notif., 12 nov. 1976; SCGE Litt. circ. 25 jan 1977; SCRIS Ep., 4 mar. 1977


§2 Religious of a clerical institute who do not have a special habit are to wear clerical dress, in accordance with can. 284. Sources 136.1, 188.7, 2379; SCRIS Notif., 25 feb. 1972; SCRIS Notif mar 1974; SCE Litt. circ. 27 jan 1976; SCRIS Notif., 12 nov. 1976

Canon 670 Right to All Necessary for Vocation

Canon 671 Permission for Outside Offices

Religious are not to undertake tasks and offices outside their own institute without the permission of the lawful Superior. Sources: 608; CD 35.2; ET 20, 26. Connections: 145.1, 601, 618, 654, 681-682

Canon 672 Other Canons

Religious are bound by the provisions of cann. 277 (celibacy) ,285 (exercise of civil power), 286 (unauthorized commercial activities), 287 (political or labor offices - except to defend the rights of the church or common good) and 289 (military service that is not avoidable). Religious who are clerics are also bound by the provisions of can. 279 §2 (continuing education). In lay institutes of pontifical right, the permission mentioned in can. 285 §4 (administering the affairs of lay people) can be given by the major Superior. Sources: 592; SCR Resp. 15 jul. 1919 (AAS 11 [1919] 321-323); SCR Litt. circ., 10 feb. 1924; SCR Litt. 29 apr. 1946; SCR Litt. circ., 2 maii 1951; SCR Secr. Militare servitium, 30 jul. 1957 (AAS 49 [1957] 871-874); LMR I. Connections: 135.2, 277, 279.2, 285-287, 289, 599, 607, 660-661, 666-667, 669, 1392.

English Latin

Canon 673 Life is Primary Mission

The apostolate of all religious consists primarily in the witness of their consecrated life, which they are bound to foster through prayer and penance.

Canon 674 Contemplative Institutes

Institutes which are wholly directed to contemplation always have an outstanding part in the mystical Body of Christ. They offer to God an exceptional sacrifice of praise. They embellish the people of God with very rich fruits of holiness, move them by their example, and give them increase by a hidden apostolic fruitfulness. Because of this, no matter how urgent the needs of the active apostolate, the members of these institutes cannot be called upon to assist in the various pastoral ministries.

Canon 675 Apostolate Essential

§1 Apostolic action is of the very nature of institutes dedicated to apostolic works. The whole life of the members is, therefore, to be imbued with an apostolic spirit, and the whole of their apostolic action is to be animated by a religious spirit.


§2 Apostolic action is always to proceed from intimate union with God, and is to confirm and foster this union.


§3 Apostolic action exercised in the name of the Church and by its command is to be performed in communion with the Church.

Canon 676 Participation in Pastoral Mission

Lay institutes of men and women participate in the pastoral mission of the Church through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, performing very many different services for people. They are therefore to remain faithful to the grace of their vocation.

Canon 677 Proper Works

§1 Superiors and members are faithfully to hold fast to the mission and works which are proper to their institute. According to the needs of time and place, however, they are prudently to adapt them, making use of new and appropriate means.


§2 Institutes which have associations of Christ's faithful joined to them are to have a special care that these associations are imbued with the genuine spirit of their family.

Canon 678 Relations of Bishop to Apostolate

§1 In matters concerning the care of souls, the public exercise of divine worship and other works of the apostolate, religious are subject to the authority of the Bishops, whom they are bound to treat with sincere obedience and reverence.


§2 In the exercise of an apostolate towards persons outside the institute, religious are also subject to their own Superiors and must remain faithful to the discipline of the institute. If the need arises, Bishops themselves are not to fail to insist on this obligation.


§3 In directing the apostolic works of religious, diocesan Bishops and religious Superiors must proceed by way of mutual consultation.

Canon 679 Bishop Forbids Residence

For a very grave reason a diocesan Bishop can forbid a member of a religious institute to remain in his diocese, provided the person's major Superior has been informed and has failed to act; the matter must immediately be reported to the Holy See.

Canon 680 Apostolic Cooperation

Organized cooperation is to be fostered among different institutes, and between them and the secular clergy. Under the direction of the Bishop, there is to be a coordination of all apostolic works and actions, with due respect for the character and purpose of each institute and the laws of its foundation.

Canon 681 Works Entrusted

§1 Works which the diocesan Bishop entrusts to religious are under the authority and direction of the Bishop, without prejudice to the rights of religious Superiors in accordance with can. 678 §§2 and 3.


§2 In these cases a written agreement is to be made between the diocesan Bishop and the competent Superior of the institute. This agreement must expressly and accurately define, among other things, the work to be done, the members to be assigned to it and the financial arrangements.

Canon 682 Ecclesiastical Office

§1 If an ecclesiastical office in a diocese is to be conferred on a member of a religious institute, the religious is appointed by the diocesan Bishop on presentation by, or at least with the consent of, the competent Superior.


§2 The religious can be removed from the office at the discretion of the authority who made the appointment, with prior notice being given to the religious Superior; or by the religious Superior, with prior notice being given to the appointing authority. Neither requires the other's consent.

Canon 683 Episcopal Visitation

§1 Either personally or through a delegate, the diocesan Bishop can visit churches or oratories to which Christ's faithful have habitual access, schools other than those open only to the institute's own members, and other works of religion and charity entrusted to religious, whether these works be spiritual or temporal. He can do this at the time of pastoral visitation, or in a case of necessity.


§2 If the diocesan Bishop becomes aware of abuses, and a warning to the religious Superior having been in vain, he can by his own authority deal with the matter.

English Latin

Canon 684 Transfer

§1 Perpetually professed members cannot transfer from their own religious institute to another, except by permission of the supreme Moderators of both institutes, given with the consent of their respective councils.


§2 On completion of a probationary period of at least three years, the member can be admitted to perpetual profession in the new institute. A member who refuses to make this profession, or is not admitted to do so by the competent Superiors, is to return to the original institute, unless an indult of secularization has been obtained.


§3 For a religious to transfer from one autonomous monastery to another monastery of the same institute, federation or confederation, the consent of the major Superior of both monasteries and of the chapter of the receiving monastery is required and is sufficient, unless the institute's own law has established further conditions. A new profession is not required.


§4 The institute's own law is to determine the time and manner of the probation which must precede the member's profession in the new institute.


§5 To transfer to a secular institute or to a society of apostolic life, or to transfer from these to a religious institute, the permission of the Holy See is required and its instructions are to be followed.


Authentic Interpretation Religious means also those in temporary vows.

Canon 685 Rights of Transfers

§1 Until profession is made in the new institute, the rights and obligations of the member in the previous institute are suspended, but the vows remain. From the beginning of probation, the member is bound to observe the laws of the new institute.


§2 By profession in the new institute the member is incorporated into it, and the earlier vows, rights and obligations cease.

English Latin

Canon 686 Exclaustration

§1 With the consent of his or her council, the supreme Moderator can for a grave reason grant an indult of illustration to a perpetually professed member for a period not exceeding three years. In the case of a cleric, the indult requires the prior consent of the Ordinary of the place where the clerics must reside. To extend this indult, or to grant one for more than three years, is reserved to the Holy See or, in an institute of diocesan right, to the diocesan Bishop.


§2 Only the Apostolic See can grant an indult of illustration for cloistered nuns.


§3 At the request of the supreme Moderator acting with the consent of his or her council, exclaustration can be imposed by the Holy See on a member of an institute of pontifical right, or by a diocesan Bishop on a member of an institute of diocesan right. In either case a grave reason is required, and equity and charity are to be observed.

Canon 687 Effects of Exclaustration

Members who are exclaustrated are considered as dispensed from those obligations which are incompatible with their new condition of life. They remain dependent on and under the care of their Superiors and, particularly in the case of a cleric, of the local Ordinary. They may wear the religious habit, unless the indult specifies otherwise, but they lack active and passive voice.

Canon 688 Temporary Professed

§1 A person who, on completion of the time of temporary profession, wishes to leave the institute, is free to do so.


§2 A person who, during the time of temporary profession, for a grave reason asks to leave the institute, can obtain an indult to leave. In an institute of pontifical right, this indult can be given by the supreme Moderator with the consent of his or her council. In institutes of diocesan right and in the monasteries mentioned in can. 615, the indult must, for validity, be confirmed by the Bishop in whose diocese is located the house to which the person is assigned.

Canon 689 Exclusion From Further Profession

§1 The competent major Superior, after consulting his or council, can for just reasons exclude a member from making further profession on the completion of temporary profession.


§2 Even though contracted after profession, a physical or psychological infirmity which, in the judgment of experts, renders the member mentioned in §1 unsuited to lead a life in the institute, constitutes a reason for not admitting the member to renewal of profession or to perpetual profession, unless the infirmity was contracted through the negligence of the institute or because of work performed in the institute.


§3 A religious who becomes insane during the period of temporary vows cannot be dismissed from the institute, even though unable to make a new profession.

Canon 690 Re-admission

§1 A person who lawfully leaves the institute after completing the novitiate or after profession, can be re-admitted by the supreme Moderator, with the consent of his or her council, without the obligation of repeating the novitiate. The same Moderator is to determine an appropriate probation prior to temporary profession, and the length of time in vows before making perpetual profession, in accordance with the norms of can. 655 and 657.


§2 The Superior of an autonomous monastery, acting with the consent of his or her council, has the same faculty.

Canon 691 Grounds for Departure

§1 A perpetually professed religious is not to seek an indult to leave the institute, except for very grave reasons, weighed before the Lord. The petition is to be presented to the supreme Moderator of the institute, who will forward it to the competent authority with his or her own opinion and that of the council.


§2 In institutes of pontifical right this indult is reserved to the Apostolic See. In institutes of diocesan right the indult can be granted by the Bishop in whose diocese is located the house to which the religious is assigned.

Canon 692 Effect of Indult

An indult to leave the institute, which is lawfully granted and notified to the member, by virtue of the law itself carries with it, unless it has been rejected by the member in the act of notification, a dispensation from the vows and from all obligations arising from profession.

Canon 693 Incardination after Departure

If the member is a cleric, the indult is not granted until he has found a Bishop who will incardinate him in his diocese or at least receive him there on probation. If he is received on probation, he is by virtue of the law itself incardinated in the diocese after five years, unless the Bishop has rejected him.

English Latin

Canon 694 Automatic Dismissal

§1 A member is to be considered automatically dismissed if he or she:


1° has notoriously defected from the catholic faith;


2° has contracted marriage or attempted to do so, even civilly.


§2 In these cases the major Superior with his or her council must, after collecting the evidence, without delay make a declaration of the fact, so that the dismissal is juridically established.

Canon 695 Obligatory Dismissal

§1 A member must be dismissed for the offenses mentioned in cann. 1397, 1398 and 1395, unless, for the offenses mentioned in can. 1395 §2, the Superior judges that dismissal is not absolutely necessary; and that sufficient provision can be made in some other way for the amendment of the member, the restoration of justice and the reparation of scandal.


§2 In these cases the major Superior is to collect the evidence concerning the facts and the imputability of the offense The accusation and the evidence are then to be presented to the member, who shall be given the opportunity for defense All the acts, signed by the major Superior and the notary, are to be forwarded, together with the written and signed replies of the member, to the supreme Moderator.

Canon 696 Cause for Dismissal

§1 A member can be dismissed for other causes, provided they are grave, external, imputable and juridically proven. Among such causes are: habitual neglect of the obligations of consecrated life; repeated violations of the sacred bonds; obstinate disobedience to the lawful orders of Superiors in grave matters; grave scandal arising from the culpable behavior of the member; obstinate attachment to, or diffusion of, teachings condemned by the magisterium of the Church; public adherence to materialistic or atheistic ideologies; the unlawful absence mentioned in can. 665 §2, if it extends for a period of six months; other reasons of similar gravity which are perhaps defined in the institute's own law.


§2 A member in temporary vows can be dismissed even for less grave reasons determined in the institute's own law.

Canon 697 Development of Record

§1 In the cases mentioned in can. 696, if the major Superior, after consulting his or her council, judges that the process of dismissal should be commenced:


1° the major Superior is to collect or complete the evidence;


2° the major Superior is to warn the member in writing, or before two witnesses, with an explicit caution that dismissal will follow unless the member reforms. The reasons for dismissal are to be clearly expressed and the member is to be given every opportunity for defense If the warning has no effect, another warning is to be given after an interval of at least fifteen days;


3° if this latter warning is also ineffectual, and the major Superior with his or her council judges that there is sufficient proof of incorrigibility, and that the defense by the member is insufficient, after fifteen days from the last warning have passed in vain all the acts, signed by the major Superior and the notary, are to be forwarded, together with the signed replies of the member, to the supreme Moderator.

Canon 698 Communication with Supreme Moderator

In all the cases mentioned in cann. 695 and 696, the member always retains the right to communicate with, and send replies directly to, the supreme Moderator.

Canon 699 Dismissal Decision

§1 The supreme Moderator and his or her council are to proceed in collegial fashion in accurately weighing the evidence, the arguments, and the defense For validity, the council must comprise at least four members. If by a secret vote it is decided to dismiss the religious, a decree of dismissal is to be drawn up, which for validity must express at least in summary form the reasons in law and in fact.


§2 In the autonomous monasteries mentioned in can. 615, the judgment about dismissal belongs to the diocesan Bishop. The Superior is to submit the acts to him after they have been reviewed by the council.

Canon 700 Decree of Dismissal

The decree of dismissal has no effect unless it is confirmed by the Holy See, to whom the decree and all the acts are to be forwarded. If the matter concerns an institute of diocesan right, the confirmation belongs to the Bishop in whose diocese is located the house to which the religious belongs. For validity the decree must indicate the right of the person dismissed to have recourse to the competent authority within ten days of receiving notification of the decree. The recourse has a suspensive effect.

Canon 701 Effect of Dismissal

By lawful dismissal, both the vows and the rights and duties deriving from profession automatically cease. If the member is a cleric, he may not exercise sacred orders until he finds a Bishop who will, after a suitable probation, receive him into his diocese in accordance with can. 693, or who will at least allow him to exercise his sacred orders.

Canon 702 Who Misses

§1 Whoever lawfully leaves a religious institute or is lawfully dismissed from one, cannot claim anything from the institute for any work done in it.


§2 The institute, however, is to show equity and evangelical charity towards the member who is separated from it.

Canon 703 Expulsion

§1 In a case of grave external scandal, or of extremely grave and imminent harm to the institute, a member can be expelled forthwith from the house by the major Superior. If there is danger in delay, this can be done by the local Superior with the consent of his or her council. The major Superior, if need be, is to introduce a process of dismissal in accordance with the norms of law, or refer the matter to the Apostolic See.

Canon 704 Report Separated Members

In the report to be sent to the Apostolic See in accordance with can. 592, §1, mention is to be made of members who have been separated in any way from the institute.

English Latin

Canon 705 Released from Religious obligations

A religious who is raised to the episcopate remains a member of his institute, but is subject only to the Roman Pontiff by his vow of obedience. He is not bound by obligations which he prudently judges are not compatible with his condition.

Authentic Interpretation Religious Bishops loose active and passive vote.
Canon 706 Administration of Goods

In the case of the religious mentioned above:


1° if he has lost the ownership of his goods through his profession he now has the use and enjoyment and the administration of the goods which he acquires. In the case of a diocesan Bishop and of those mentioned in can. 381 §2, the particular Church acquires their ownership; in the case of others, they belong to the institute or the Holy See, depending on whether the institute is or is not capable of possessing goods;


2° if he has not lost the ownership of his goods through his profession, he recovers the use and enjoyment and the administration of the goods he possessed; what he obtains later, he acquires fully;


3° in both cases any goods he receives which are not personal gifts must be disposed of according to the intention of the donors.

Canon 707 Emeritus

§1 A religious Bishop 'emeritus' may choose to reside outside the house of his institute, unless the Apostolic See disposes otherwise.


§2 If he has served a diocese, can. 402 §2 is to be observed concerning his suitable and worthy maintenance, unless his own institute wishes to provide such maintenance. Otherwise, the Apostolic See is to make other provision.

English Latin

Canon 708 Establishment

Major Superiors can usefully meet together in conferences and councils, so that by combined effort they may work to achieve more fully the purpose of each institute, while respecting the autonomy, nature and spirit of each. They can also deal with affairs which are common to all, and work to establish suitable coordination and cooperation with Episcopal Conferences and with individual Bishops.

Canon 709 Statutes

Conferences of major Superiors are to have their own statutes, which must be approved by the Holy See. Only the Holy See can establish them or give them juridical personality. They remain under the ultimate direction of the Holy See.

(Cann. 710 - 730) English Latin

Canon 710 Definition

A secular institute is an institute of consecrated life in which Christ's faithful, living in the world, strive for the perfection of charity and endeavor to contribute to the sanctification of the world, especially from within.

Canon 711 Canonical Status

Without prejudice to the provisions of the law concerning institutes of consecrated life, consecration as a member of a secular institute does not change the member's canonical status among the people of God, be it lay or clerical.

Canon 712 Sacred Bonds

Without prejudice to the provisions of can. 598—601, the constitutions are to establish the sacred bonds by which the evangelical counsels are undertaken in the institute. They are to define the obligations which these bonds entail, while always preserving in the manner of life the secular character proper to the institute.

Canon 713 Apostolic Activity

§1 Members of these institutes express and exercise their special consecration in apostolic activity. Like a leaven, they endeavor to permeate everything with an evangelical spirit for the strengthening and growth of the Body of Christ.


§2 Lay members participate in the evangelizing mission of the Church in the world and from within the world. They do this by their witness of Christian life and of fidelity to their consecration, and by the assistance they give in directing temporal affairs to God and in animating the world by the power of the Gospel. They also offer their cooperation to serve the ecclesial community in accordance with the secular manner of life proper to them.


§3 Clerical members, by the witness of their consecrated life, especially in the presbyterium, support their colleagues by a distinctive apostolic charity, and in the people of God they further the sanctification of the world by their sacred ministry.

Canon 714 Life in the World

Members are to live their lives in the ordinary conditions of the world, either alone, in their families or in fraternal groups, in accordance with the constitutions.

Canon 715 Clerical members

§1 Clerical members incardinated in a diocese are subject to the diocesan Bishop, except for whatever concerns the consecrated life of their own institutes.


§2 Those who, in accordance with the norms of can. 266 §3, are incardinated in the institute, and who are appointed to works proper to the institute or to the governance of the institute, are subject to the Bishop in the same way as religious.

Canon 716 Active members

§1 All members are to take an active part in the life of the institute, in accordance with the institute's own law.


§2 Members of the same institute are to preserve a rapport with one another, carefully fostering a unity of spirit and a genuine fraternity.

Canon 717 Governance

§1 The constitutions are to determine the institute's own form of governance. They are to define the period of time for which Moderators exercise their office and the manner in which they are to be designated.


§2 No one is to be designated supreme Moderator unless definitively incorporated into the institute.


§3 Those entrusted with the governance of the institute are to ensure that its unity of spirit is maintained, and that the active participation of the members is developed.

Canon 718 Temporal Goods

The administration of the goods of the institute must express and foster evangelical poverty. It is governed by the norms of Book V on 'The Temporal Goods of the Church', and by the institute's own law. This same law of the institute is also to define the obligations, especially the financial obligations, of the institute towards the members engaged in its work.

Canon 719 Obligations of Members

§1 Members are to respond faithfully to their vocation, and their apostolic action is to proceed from their union with Christ. They are therefore to devote themselves assiduously to prayer and engage in a suitable way in the reading of the sacred Scriptures. They are to make an annual retreat and perform other spiritual exercises in accordance with their own law.


§2 The celebration of the Eucharist, daily where possible, is to be the source and strength of their whole consecrated life.


§3 They are to go freely to the sacrament of penance and receive it frequently.


§4 They are to be free to obtain the necessary spiritual direction. Should they so desire, they may seek such counsel even from their Moderators.

Canon 720 Who Admits

The right of admitting a person to the institute, or to probation, or to the taking of sacred bonds, both temporary and perpetual or definitive, belongs to the major Moderators with their council, in accordance with the constitutions.

Canon 721 Admission

§1 The following are invalidly admitted to initial probation:


1° one who has not yet attained majority;


2° one who is currently bound by a sacred bond in another institute of consecrated life, or incorporated in a society of apostolic life;


3° a spouse, while the marriage lasts.


§2 The constitutions can establish other impediments to admission, even for validity, or attach conditions to it.


§3 For a person to be received into the institute, that degree of maturity is required which is necessary to live the life of the institute properly.

Canon 722 Initial Probation

§1 The initial probation is to be so arranged that the candidates can better recognize their divine vocation and their vocation to that institute, and be trained in the spirit and manner of life of the institute.


§2 Candidates are to be properly formed to live a life according to the evangelical counsels. They are to be taught how to translate this life completely into their apostolate, applying those forms of evangelistic which best correspond to the purpose, spirit and character of the institute.


§3 The constitutions are to define the manner and time of the probation to be made before the first sacred bonds are undertaken in the institute; this time is to be not less than two years.

Canon 723 First Incorporation

§1 When the time of the initial probation has been completed, a candidate who is judged suitable is either to undertake the three evangelical counsels, sealed with a sacred bond, or to leave the institute.


§2 This first incorporation is to be temporary, in accordance with the constitutions, but is to be for not less than five years.


§3 When this period of incorporation has been completed, a member who is judged suitable is to be admitted to perpetual, or definitive incorporation, that is, by temporary bonds always to be renewed.


§4 Definitive incorporation is equivalent to perpetual incorporation in respect of defined juridical effects, which are to be established in the constitutions.

Canon 724 Sacred Bonds

§1 After the first acceptance of the sacred bonds, formation is to continue without interruption in accordance with the constitutions.


§2 Members are to be formed simultaneously in matters human and divine. The Moderators of the institute are to have a serious concern for the continued spiritual formation of the members.

Canon 725 Associate Members

The institute can associate with itself, by some form of bond determined in the constitutions, other members of Christ's faithful who seek evangelical perfection according to the spirit of the institute and who share in its mission.

Canon 726 Temporary Incorporation

§1 When the time of temporary incorporation is completed, the member can freely leave the institute, or can for a just cause be excluded from renewing the sacred bonds by the major Moderator, after consultation with his or her council.


§2 A temporarily incorporated member who freely requests it, can for a grave reason be granted an indult to leave the institute by the supreme Moderator, with the consent of the council.

Canon 727 Departure

§1 A perpetually incorporated member who wishes to leave the institute must, after seriously weighing the matter before the Lord, petition the Apostolic See through the supreme Moderator, if the institute is of pontifical right; otherwise, the indult can also be obtained from the diocesan Bishop, as determined in the constitutions.


§2 For a cleric who is incardinated in the institute, the provision of can. 693 is to be observed.

Canon 728 Departure

When an indult to leave the institute has been lawfully granted, all bonds, rights and obligations deriving from incorporation cease.

Canon 729 Dismissal

A member is dismissed from the institute in accordance with the norms of cann. 694 and 695. The constitutions are also to determine other reasons for dismissal, provided they are proportionately grave, external, imputable and juridically proven. The procedure established in cann. 697-700 is to be observed, and the provisions of can. 701 apply to the person who is dismissed.

Canon 730 Transfer

For a member to transfer from one secular institute to another, the provisions of can. 684 §§1, 2, 4 and 685, are to be observed. A transfer to or from another kind of institute of consecrated life requires the permission of the Apostolic See, whose instructions must be followed.

(Cann. 731 - 755) English Latin

Canon 731 Definition

§1 Societies of apostolic life resemble institutes of consecrated life. Their members, without taking religious vows, pursue the apostolic purpose proper to each society. Living a fraternal life in common in their own special manner, they strive for the perfection of charity through the observance of the constitutions.


§2 Among these societies are some in which the members, through a bond defined in the constitutions, undertake to live the evangelical counsels.

Canon 732 Other Canons

Cann. 578-597 and 606 apply to societies of apostolic life, with due regard, however, for the nature of each society. For the societies mentioned in can. 731 §2, cann. 598-602 also apply.

Canon 733 Establishing Houses

§1 A house is established and a local community is constituted by the competent authority of the society, with the prior written consent of the diocesan Bishop. The Bishop must also be consulted when there is question of its suppression.


§2 Consent to establish a house carries with it the right to have at least an oratory in which the blessed Eucharist is celebrated and reserved.

Canon 734 Constitutions

The governance of the society is determined by the constitutions, without prejudice, in accordance with the nature of each society, to cann. 617—633.

Canon 735 Admission

§1 The admission, probation, incorporation and formation of members are determined by each society's own law.


§2 For admission into the society, the conditions prescribed in cann. 642-645 are to be observed.


§3 The society's own law must determine a program of doctrinal, spiritual and apostolic probation and formation that is adapted to the purpose and character of the society. In this way members can recognize their divine vocation and be suitably prepared for the mission and way of life of the society.

Canon 736 Incardination

§1 In clerical societies, the clerics are incardinated into the society, unless the constitutions determine otherwise.


§2 The norms concerning the secular clergy apply to the program of studies and reception of orders, without prejudice to §1.

Canon 737 Incorporation

For the members, incorporation carries with it the rights and obligations defined in the constitutions. On the part of the society, it implies a responsibility to lead the members towards the purpose of their vocation, in accordance with the constitutions.

Canon 738 Authority

§1 All members are subject to their own Moderators in matters concerning the internal life and discipline of the society, in accordance with the constitutions.


§2 They are also subject to the diocesan Bishop in matters concerning public worship, the care of souls and other works of the apostolate, with due regard to cann. 679-683.


§3 The relationship between a member who is incardinated in a diocese and his proper Bishop is to be defined in the constitutions or in particular agreements.

Canon 739 Clerical Obligations

Apart from the obligations which derive from their constitutions, members are bound by the common obligations of clerics, unless the nature of things or the context indicates otherwise.

Canon 740 Live in Houses

Members must live in a lawfully constituted house or community and observe a common life, in accordance with their own law. This same law also governs their absence from the house or community.

Canon 741 Juridic Personality

§1 Societies and, unless the constitutions provide otherwise, their constituent parts and their houses, are juridical persons. As such, they are capable of acquiring, possessing, administering and alienating temporal goods in accordance with the provisions of Book V on 'The Temporal Goods of the Church', of cann. 636, 638 and 639, and of their own law.


§2 Members are also capable, in accordance with their own law, of acquiring, possessing, administering and disposing of temporal goods, but whatever comes to them in view of the society is acquired for the society.

Canon 742 Departure

The departure and dismissal of a member who is not definitively incorporated are governed by the constitutions of each society.

Canon 743 Dispensation

A member who is definitively incorporated can obtain an indult to leave the society from the supreme Moderator with the consent of the council, unless the constitutions reserve this to the Apostolic See. This indult means that the rights and obligations deriving from definitive incorporation cease, without prejudice to can. 693.

Canon 744 Transfer

§1 Permission for a member who is definitively incorporated to transfer to another society of apostolic life is likewise reserved to the supreme Moderator with the consent of his or her council. The rights and obligations of the member's own society are suspended for the time being, but the member has the right to return to it before definitive incorporation into the new society.


§2 To transfer to an institute of consecrated life or from such an institute to a society of apostolic life, the permission of the Holy See is required, and its instructions are to be followed.

Canon 745 Live Outside

The supreme Moderator, with the consent of his or her council, can grant a definitively incorporated member an indult to live outside the society for a period not exceeding three years. Rights and obligations which are not compatible with this new condition are suspended, but the member remains under the care of the Moderators. If the member is a cleric, the consent of the Ordinary of the place where he must reside is also required, and the member remains under the care of the Ordinary and dependent upon him.

Canon 746 Dismissal

For the dismissal of a member who is definitively incorporated, the provisions of cann. 694-704 are to be observed, making the appropriate adjustments.