Pope Francis met with the Vatican Dicastery which oversees religious life. Its cardinal prefect explained the issues they are addressing during their plenary assembly.
CARD. JOÃO BRAZ DE AVIZ
'We want to thank you.'
Pope Francis told them that their dicastery's mission is to “discern” and “accompany” religious institutes, especially when problematic situations arise.
In those cases, an early indicator that a congregation or new institute is established in good faith, is if it collaborates with the bishop and participates in the life of the Church.
The Pope said that in delicate cases, the community should analyze the role of its founder, how they look for and prepare new vocations, and how authority is applied.
POPE FRANCIS
'Pay attention to how authority is exercised, especially with regard to the separation between the internal and external forum—a matter that worries me very much—to the duration of mandates, and to the accumulation of power.'
Just as he asked these communities to work with the bishop, he also asked bishops to accept the collaboration of men and women religious.
The role of men and women religious is essential in the daily life of the Church. Whether they are missionaries or live the contemplative life, their witness, work and prayer are for millions of people, a concrete manifestation of God's love for each person.
JMB-XSA
TR: CT
