Secular institute

A Secular Institute ( world institute or global community ) is an institute of consecrated life. It is based, according to canon law, on the basis of cann. 710-730 CIC and is in its form to the consecrated life. In the CIC following is set:

" A secular institute is an institute of consecrated life in which live in the world, believers strive for the perfection of charity and endeavor for the sanctification of the world, especially from the inside to contribute. "

History

The original form of a secular institute formed in 1535 by Angela Merici founded the " Compagnia di Orsola ", today's Congregation of Saint Ursula. The first Ursulines lived within their families and met for worship and religious education. They wore no religious habit and showed by their way of life to a life according to the Gospel. Its founder wrote the first Community rules, ie by a woman for women. A priestly line they had not foreseen.

With the Apostolic Constitution Provida Mater Ecclesia (February 2, 1947) by Pope Pius XII. (1939-1958) was the form of secular institutes for the first time canon law relevant. With this scheme, the new category of religious communities came into force. Pope Paul VI. (1963-1978) described the Secular Institutes later as " experimental laboratories, where the Church is testing the concrete possibilities of their relationship to the world. "

After the Second Vatican Council, the rules on religious communities developed new. In the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 21 November 1964 expressed that "all are called to holiness "; so it can be bound in religious communities not only to a particular life form life. The conciliar decree Perfectae Caritatis " on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life " of 28 October 1965, set itself the goal of life in the communities in which

" [ ... ] Physical and mental conditions of people today " adapt, "but also - as far as the character of the institute demands - the demands of the apostolate, the demands of the cultural, social and economic environment to meet [ ... ] "

The next big step was the renovation of canon law (CIC ) in 1983. Then clearly within the institutions of consecrated life ( Can. 573-606 CIC) between religious institute ( Can. 607-709 CIC) and secular institute here was ( Can. 710-730 CIC) distinguished. A common feature of all have secular institutes, their members should make their " life in the midst of the world."

Form of life

The objective of the Communities is anchored, that the members want to live their lives in the Christian faith. The women, men, laity and priests close to a common life together around the Gospel to make out and to act missionary. The secular institutes in common is the pursuit of " a life in the midst of society ." Therefore, they usually do not live in a monastery, but in ordinary apartments to go after a profession, socialize and work as volunteers in society and church.

As with religious institutes there own community rules ( statutes ) that are defined by the members and approved by the competent diocesan bishop. This may be the promise of time or vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, which are stored for the whole life. Other popular at religious congregations elements such as costume or common roof and table fellowship will be taken over by some secular institutes .. only in exceptional cases, as with religious institutes, there are secular institutes in which only women, only men or only priests are allowed. However, several secular institutes can form an institutional unit, such as the International Schoenstatt Movement.

Organization

See also List of Secular Institutes

In Germany, the Secular Institutes are in the Association of Secular Institutes in Germany eV represented in established Vallendar. The working group are currently connected 34 German and international ( with offices in Germany ) Secular Institutes. The Association is represented by its / n Head / in at the World Conference of Secular Institutes.

The Association of the Austrian Secular Institute was founded after the Second Vatican Council, at the suggestion of Cardinal Franz König ( 1905-2004 ). It is the Austrian Bishops' Conference were allocated and forms a link between the secular institutes and the Roman Catholic Church in Austria. The Association has its seat in Vienna and is, for the ten affiliated institutions, and the public voice.

The World Conference of Secular Institutes (Conference Mondiale of the Institute Seculiers, CMIS ) was founded in 1972 and 1974, approved by the Holy See. The World Council of Secular Institutes is chosen from their ranks, this organized worldwide cooperation between secular institutes. To this end, the CMIS promotes contacts and intensifies the experience. The conference is also working with other associations and organizations at national and international levels. On the basis of the documents of the Holy See, it organizes studies and research programs that address the experiences of Secular Institutes. Simultaneously, the CMIS is an advocate and partner to the Pontifical Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The World Council is headquartered in Rome and represents the interests of about 32 350 members (including 26 580 women, 569 men, 3980 and priest in 1260 Other members).

At the General Meeting from 25 to 28 July, 2012 Assisi, Italy participated in 350 general managers or their delegates. The newly elected World Council shall be composed of nine members from Austria, France, Spain, India, Italy and Slovakia. For the French President Nadége Vedie ( Superior General of the Institute Séculier Notre Dame You Travail ) was chosen.