Religious Sponsors Ministry Leaders Church Leaders Working Together

Religious Sponsors, Ministry Leaders& Church Leaders Working Together in Mission La. Sallian Association of Secondary School Chief Administrators February 21, 2016

Canonical Framework for Decision-Making �Sponsorship and Catholic Identity �Autonomy of Religious Institutes and Authority of the Diocesan Bishop �Cooperation mission and Collaboration for 2

Sponsorship �Complex �No of structural relationships legal meaning in canon or civil law �Evolving concept of broad categories: �Governance �Influence �Advocacy 3

Elements of Sponsorship �Sponsorship of an apostolate or ministry is a formal relationship between a recognized Catholic organization and a legally formed entity, entered into for the sake of promoting and sustaining the Church’s mission in the world. � Sponsorship in the U. S Context: Theory and Praxis (CLSA 2006) 4

Sponsored Ministry Catholic institutions: �Those to whom the representatives of the juridic person (e. g. , Christian Brothers) �entrust the governance and administration of the institution – board of trustees and administrators for the Catholic institution 5

Public Juridic Persons Characteristics (cc. 113§ 2, 114§ 1, 2 and 120) � aggregate of persons or things in the Church � distinct from the natural persons or material goods belonging to it � established by decree of competent church authority or by the law � carries out mission entrusted to it in the name of the Church 6

Public Juridic Person (cont. ) � continuous existence unless legitimately suppressed by competent authority � canonical rights/obligations similar to those of natural persons � Represented on its behalf � Property by physical persons authorized to act is ecclesiastical property 7

Religious Institute: Collegial Public Juridic Person � fulfills its function in the name of the Church ◦ Activities of group are work of the Church ◦ Not the work of individuals on behalf of the group ◦ Work entrusted to the public juridic person is carried out in the name of the Church � perpetual unless suppressed � assets are ecclesiastical property � Decisions made by its members (collegial) 8

Governance Models & Canonical Stewardship: Canon 1284 � Nine duties of canonical stewards �Vigilance and ownership �Observance of canon and civil law �Debt payment and investments �Receipts �Archival of documents � Sponsoring body fulfills these duties �directly �delegation � Reserved Powers 9

Governance Models � Governance Models for Sponsoring Body: ◦ Unicameral ◦ Bicameral ◦ Reserved powers � Shift ◦ ◦ ◦ today Ability of sponsor to control → ability to influence Less emphasis on ownership Cooperation between Diocese and Institute Focus on Catholic identity and mission Expression of communion 10

Catholic Identity �“a sure sign of the authenticity of a charism is its ecclesial character” when integrated harmoniously into the life of the people of God (EG 130) �in communion…”charism is authentic and mysteriously fruitful” Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium Pope Francis 11

Catholic Identity �Life-giving �Three connection Requirements: ◦ Assertion – public identity ◦ Validation – authenticated by church authority ◦ Integration – compatibility with Catholic Church teaching �Permeate culture of ministry 12

Continued Evolution of Sponsorship �Search for new models of sponsorship �Current factors impacting sponsorship relationship: �Fewer women and men religious �Merging of religious institutes, completion �Complex governance in education, social services �Increased role of the laity in Church’s mission 13

Sponsors and Ministry Leaders � No template for sponsors and leaders � Key expectations �Understanding of mission and vision �Rootedness in charism and Catholic identity �Clarity of roles �Ongoing formation �Support � Sponsorship is a partnership relationship 14

Diocesan Bishop: Role in Diocese �Chief pastoral leader �Key authority figure �Broad authority �Possesses power necessary to carry out duties �Power not absolute �Right and duty to issue laws for faithful �Regulates worship and apostolate 15

Bishop’s Service: Ensure Good Order in Apostolate �Diocesan Bishop (c. 394) ◦ To promote forms of apostolate in diocese ◦ To coordinate all apostolate works in diocese �Apostolate of Religious (c. 675 § 3) ◦ Exercised in name of and by mandate of Church ◦ Carried out in the communion of the Church 16

Diocesan Bishop: Authority � Apostolates of Religious (sponsors, leaders and those ministering in Catholic institutions) ◦ Subject to authority of diocesan bishop �Care of souls �Public worship �All other works of the apostolate � Leaders & Bishops – 4 C’s 17

Relationship: Bishops and Religious � Mutuae relationes (1978) ◦ Theological foundations ◦ Practical norms � No single model � Need for balance (c. 678) ◦ Bishop’s authority to exercise ministry ◦ Religious Institute’s rightful autonomy of governance (c. 586) ◦ Mutual consultation and respect for roles 18

Areas Calling for Coordination �Canon 804 – Religious Instruction ◦ Subject to authority of diocesan bishop ◦ Teachers of religion; distinguished by �Teaching Catholic doctrine �Witness of Christian living �Possession of pedagogical skills 19

Canon 805: Appointment/Removal of Religion Teachers � Authority of Diocesan Bishop to appoint/remove teachers of religion �Reasons of religion or morals �Removal: �Serious nature �Respect for the rights of all parties 20

Canon 806: Vigilance and Visitation of Catholic Schools �Right of Vigilance & Visitation �All Catholic Schools in territory �Including those sponsored by Religious Institutes �Authority to issue regulations �Respect autonomy of governance in Religious Institutes 21

Dialogue: Between Sponsor and Diocesan Bishop � Experience of episcopal oversight � Ecclesiam suam – Paul VI ◦ “method of accomplishing mission” � Vita Consecrata ◦ “constant dialogue” between bishops and religious (superiors) ◦ “most valuable” for mutual understanding � Canon 678. 3 ◦ “proceed through mutual consultation” 22

Dialogue: Principles �Catholic Initiative Common Ground ◦ Dialogue requires relationships ◦ Listen; engagement in another’s view ◦ Faith and prayer are essential; experience of ecclesial communion ◦ Careful not to ascribe motives to others ◦ Dialogue takes time 23

Expression of Communio �Strength of the Church: communion �Not all problems solved by canonical norms �Search for the common good �Participation in mission of Christ and Church �Attitude of heart and mind grounded in charity 24