'The Gift of Fidelity, the Joy of Perseverance'. Separation from Religious Institutes According to the Latest Roman Documents New article

Consecrated life should have a certain stability, yet the cases of separation from institute are increasing. The (former) Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life addressed this problem in its 2020 Guidelines "The Gift of Fidelity, the Joy of Perseverance." An analysis of the problem and encouragement to faithful perseverance in one's vocation are followed by a compilation of canonical norms and the administrative practice of the Apostolic See regarding separation from the institute. Although the Guidelines are only about five years old, since their publication there have already been changes to the relevant canonical norms. This article is addressed to superiors and religious alike. It provides a practical overview of the norms in force concerning separation from the institute, and aims to help superiors apply the procedure correctly, on the one hand, and to help religious know and safeguard their rights in the event of separation from the institute, on the other.