RESCRIPT EX AUDIENTIA
CONCERNING CANON 579 OF THE CODE OF CANON LAW
ON THE ERECTION OF A DIOCESAN INSTITUTES

 

The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, aware that every new Institute of consecrated life even when it comes into being and develops within a Particular Church is a gift for the whole Church, and acknowledging the need to prevent new Institutes from being established on the diocesan level that lack the proper discernment and to ascertain the true origin of each charism that would define the specific features that would receive consecration by the profession of the evangelical counsels and that would identify its scope for development, has indicated the desirability of determining its future role better, as established in canon 579 of the CIC, by consulting the opinion of this Congregation before proceeding with the establishment of a new diocesan Institute.

Therefore, in accordance with the view of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts,

The Holy Father Pope Francis

at the Audience accorded to the undersigned Secretary of State on 4 April 2016, has set forth that prior consultation with the Holy See is to be understood as necessary ad validitatem before establishing of a diocesan Institute of consecrated life, otherwise risking nullity of the decree of establishment of this said Institute.

The present Rescript will be promulgated by way of publication in L’Osservatore Romano, and will enter into force, on 1 June 2016, and subsequently be published in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis.

From the Vatican, 11 May 2016.

Card. Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State