Guidelines for Receiving Pastoral Ministers in the USA

the rights and obligations of both the diocese or epar chy and the institute or society must be respected. In the case of an individual member of an institute or society receiving an assignment in a diocese or epar chy, the major superior presents a written statement of the health, suitability, and probity of life of the member, as well as his or her competence to carry out the ministry or apostolic works to be performed. A written agreement is to be drawn up between the diocesan or eparchial bishop and the major superior regarding, among other things, the work to be done, the qualifications of the member devoted to it, the term of service, remuneration and benefits, and ter mination of the agreement for just cause (cf. CIC c. 681; CCEO cc. 282 §2, 543). If it is a question of appointing a member of an institute or society to an ecclesiastical office, the diocesan or eparchial bishop appoints the cleric or non-ordained member after the major superior pres ents the member or at least assents to the appoint ment (CIC c. 682 §1; CCEO cc. 284 §2, 303, 431 §1, 1391 §2). Having informed the other authority, either the major superior or the appointing diocesan or eparchial bishop can remove the member of an institute or society (CIC c. 682 §2; CCEO cc. 284 §2, 303, 431 §1, 1391 §2). If a house of a religious institute or society of apos tolic life is to be established in a diocese or eparchy, everything necessary to carry out properly the spirit and purpose of the institute or society must be pro vided (CIC c. 610). For the canonical erection of a house, there must be at least three members of the religious institute or society of apostolic life (CIC c. 115 §2; CCEO c. 923). Prior to entering a written agreement, the diocesan or eparchial bishop must consider the advantages to the particular Church. The major superior needs to evaluate the necessary measures for the members to carry out their life and perform the works proper or entrusted to the mem bers (CIC c. 610). Before welcoming a community of religious or members of a society into the diocese or eparchy, the diocesan or eparchial bishop must assure that there is the availability of the works served by the institute or society and all that is necessary for them to live in accord with the spirit and character of the institute or society. A House or Community of an Institute or Society

of pastoral formation, the seminarian should learn the principles and skills of the priesthood that are adapted according to the conditions of the diocese, eparchy, institute, or society for which he is studying (cf. CIC c. 255; CCEO c. 352 §1). Seminaries with a significant number of seminarians born outside the United States should ensure that their programs of human, intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral forma tion adequately prepare international seminarians for service in the United States. Additional Considerations for Members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life Institutes of consecrated life and societies of apos tolic life enjoy a rightful autonomy of life, especially regarding their internal governance that serves to regulate their common life and direct their apostolic service for the good of the Church (CIC c. 586). Diocesan and eparchial bishops and major supe riors must work in mutual consultation regarding the service that members render to the dioceses or eparchies. Oftentimes the services of those in con secrated life are coordinated through a diocesan or eparchial vicar for consecrated life. In their ser vice to the diocese or eparchy, moreover, members of institutes and societies remain obedient to their superiors in all that pertains to the discipline of the institute or society; likewise, they are subject to the diocesan or eparchial bishop in all that pertains to care of souls, apostolic works, and divine worship (CIC cc. 678, 681 §1; CCEO cc. 415 §1, 554 §2). The following canonical regulations are to be observed when a major superior presents an individ ual member of an institute or society or a community of the same to a diocesan or eparchial bishop for ser vice in the diocese or eparchy. The same regulations are to be observed by a diocesan or eparchial bishop requesting the services of an individual member or a community of members. Individual Member When a major superior of an institute or society pres ents an individual member to a diocesan or eparchial bishop for service in a particular Church, or when a diocesan or eparchial bishop requests the member,

B-6 | Canon Law Considerations