Part IX

Part IX: Governance of the Society #

CN PART IX CHAPTER 1 #

[333] #

1A general congregation alone has full legislative power.12To a general congregation is reserved the aggregation of an institute of consecrated life to the Society.23A congregation of procurators has the power in case of necessity to suspend a decree of a previous general congregation until the next general congregation, according to the norm of its formula. However, no legislative power, properly speaking, is within its competence.34A province congregation has no power other than what is explicitly given to it in its formula.4

[334] #

1Superiors general can establish general rules, particular rules for specific offices, and ordinances for both a particular territory or for the entire Society.52Without the consent of the general, provincials do not have power to make rules or ordinances binding an entire province for an indeterminate period of time.6

[335] #

Even when they are absent, all superiors retain the jurisdiction they possess when present.7

[336] #

1With due regard for the prescriptions of, and those concerning temporary vice-provincials and vice-superiors in the Formula of a General Congregation, no. 8, §§3-4, and the Formula of a Province Congregation, no. 17, §1, 1° and 3°:1 1Vice-superiors who substitute for a superior in a stable manner (which, however, should not continue for a long time without necessity) have the same rights and obligations as superiors of the same title.1 2If a superior is not deprived of his jurisdiction but rather is prevented from exercising it by reason of sickness, absence, or some other similar reason, temporary vice-superiors exercise their office solely according to the superior’s mind and, to the extent possible, dependently upon him; and they should consult him in matters of any moment.1 3However, if a superior is deceased or is completely deprived of his jurisdiction, the temporary vice-superiors have the same rights and duties as fixed superiors; however, they should make no changes in governance.82For those who take the place of local superiors according to-, the prescriptions of-, apply, according to the situation.

[337] #

1Commands in virtue of holy obedience should not be given except for a very serious reason and only, generally speaking, after the consultors have given their advice.2Commands imposed on an entire community retain their force even after the superior who gave them has died or has finished his term of office, until such time as they are revoked by his successor or by higher superiors.9

[338] #

1Permissions and dispensations granted by major superiors are valid even though given orally; for the most part, however, particularly in the matter of poverty, they should be given in writing and they should be shown in writing to immediate superiors; those that have been granted in writing by visitors should be shown to provincials.2As local superiors and especially provincials begin their term of office, they should caution their subjects that permissions of whatever kind granted by previous superiors must be made known to them, so that they can confirm them or abrogate them; after this announcement, those not made known before the deadline to be set by superiors are to be considered as automatically abrogated.10

[339] #

1The Society is not accustomed to use its judiciary power unless the requirement of law compels it or unless in some truly rare case serious reasons make it advisable.2Keeping intact the precepts of the formulas of congregations in regard to ambitious behavior, if ever it seems advisable to begin a judicial process, recourse must be had to the general, who, in keeping with the norm of the law and taking due account of the Society’s privileges, will determine whether and how the matter should proceed.11

CN PART IX CHAPTER 2 #

[340] #

1Such men should be appointed superiors who, first of all among other gifts of God, enjoy a good reputation and authority among their subjects so that they can promote their voluntary obedience, and so care for them that “they are convinced that superiors know them and both wish to and can govern them well in the Lord” and willingly agree to be guided by them.122A suitable consultation is always to precede the appointment of superiors.13

[341] #

1In the Society, superiors ordinarily constituted are of three categories:1 1He who is at the head of the whole Society and is called “superior general” (or general);141 2Those at the head of provinces and regions (missions), who are called “provincial superior” or “provincial” and “regional (mission) superior”;151 3Those who are at the head of houses, and are called “superiors” or “local superiors” (by whatever other title they are called in ordinary life).16Similar to these is a “vice-superior” of a house not canonically erected and dependent on another house, according to the norm of.2Those in-, are “major superiors.”17

[342] #

The following are constituted in extraordinary circumstances and for a time:2 1“Vicars of the superior general”;2 2“Visitors”;2 3“Vice-provincials”, “regional (mission) vice-superiors”, “local vice-superiors”; for a time these take the place of provincials or other superiors who have died, are absent, or otherwise impeded.18

[343] #

Superiors are ordinarily constituted in this way:2 1By a general congregation: the superior general;2 2By the general: all major superiors and other superiors whose appointment the general reserves to himself because of the importance of their office;2 3By the provincial in virtue of a faculty habitually communicated to him by the general, but with his prior approval: other superiors.19

[344] #

1For anyone to be validly appointed a major superior in the Society, he must have been professed of four vows after having spent the period of time in the Society that our law requires, according to.202From those professed of four vows must also be chosen the vicar general, temporary vice-provincials, and vice-superiors of regions (missions).21

[345] #

1A provincial superior of a province or superior of a region (mission) who is going to be away from the province or region (mission) or who is seriously ill or has some other similar reason can name a temporary vice-provincial or vice-superior if the general has not designated anyone.2If a provincial superior of a province or a superior of a region (mission) dies without designating a vice-provincial or vice-superior, then until the general makes provision his place will be taken by:2 1The socius, if he is professed of four vows;2 2If the socius is not professed of four vows, the one who has been province consultor for the longest time and is also professed of four vows;2 3If even in this way no provision can be made, then the superior appointed by the general who has been in office for the longest time and is professed of four vows.3In the instances in-, if more than one made their profession on the same day, the one older in religion is to be chosen, then the one more advanced in age.4What is said about certain superiors in, applies also to vice-superiors of the same name, provided they are appointed by the general on a stable basis.22

[346] #

1The minister of the house, if he is a priest, takes the place of the local superior when the latter is absent, impeded by illness, or has died; if the minister is also absent or impeded, then the house consultor who is longest in office and who is a priest will take his place. However, local superiors are permitted to substitute some other priest than the minister for themselves if some particular reason urges it and if the provincial cannot be informed in time to provide for the case; but they have the obligation of referring the matter as soon as possible to the provincial.232When a member who is not a priest is appointed minister of the house, at the same time a priest is to be designated by the provincial to take the place of the superior when he is absent, impeded by illness, or has died, whose duty it will be to care for those matters requiring the power of orders or the power of ecclesiastical governance.24If such an acting superior is not designated and cannot in an urgent case be constituted by the superior himself, or if he is absent, then the priest consultor who has been longest in office takes his place until the provincial makes provision.3If it seems that a superior of a house who is ordinarily appointed by the general ought to be changed and immediately deprived of jurisdiction and the matter cannot be referred to the general, the provincial can appoint a temporary vice-superior until the general has been informed and provides for the case.

[347] #

1The authority of superiors of lesser rank than the general begins from the time officially designed for the beginning of their office, even if they happen to be absent. In extraordinary cases, however, the appropriate superiors are to provide for them.252Unless a legitimate superior decides something else, the authority of these superiors does not cease until that of the successor begins.26

[348] #

1With due regard for the special norms that pertain to the superior general,27the assistants for provident care,28and the general’s admonitor,29a strictly determined duration of office is not assigned to any superior or official of the Society.302Provincials according to the Constitutions and local superiors as a matter of practice usually hold office for three years, but in such a way that they do not need confirmation to continue their office beyond three years; they can, however, be removed from office at any time. It is to be hoped that local superiors will not continue to hold office for too long a period.31

CN PART IX CHAPTER 3 32 #

[349] #

1After the example of Christ, whose place they hold, superiors should exercise their authority in a spirit of service, desiring not to be served but to serve. Government in the Society should always be spiritual, whereby superiors direct our members with discerning love rather than through external laws, conscious before God of personal responsibility and of the obligation to rule their subjects as sons of God and with regard for the human personality. Government should also be strong where it needs to be, open and sincere.332Superiors should devote themselves with a true sense of responsibility to the task of government entrusted to them, not seeking to avoid making plans or decisions by themselves, but with a courageous spirit embarking on great undertakings for the divine service and remaining constant in carrying them out.34

[350] #

1It is the role of superiors to promote the mission of the Society35and observance of the Institute, and to apply it to individuals as circumstances require. In order to do this, they should especially set an example to their subjects as a living norm by which others are constantly drawn to fidelity and generosity in the service of the Lord.2Religious discipline in the Society supposes and produces mature obedient Christian men, superiors as well as members. It is the task of superiors diligently to search for the will of God, also making use of the help of others in regard to the more appropriate means, to decide what is to be done,36and to express it definitively in words.373Their greatest duty is to guide all their subjects, especially the younger ones, to ever increasing responsibility and freedom, so that they observe the provisions of our institute not in the spirit of fear38but from an intimate personal conviction rooted in faith and charity.39Therefore, they should promote religious discipline both paternally and forcefully; they should warn and if necessary correct those who neglect or violate it even those who are older and respected, and even superiors if they are deficient in their office.40

[351] #

Superiors should reckon their governance of our members, both as a community and as individuals, more important than any other tasks.41

[352] #

In the exercise of authority, the gift of discretion or of discerning love is most desirable.42To acquire this virtue, the superior should be free from ill-ordered affections43and be closely united and familiar with God,44so that he will be docile to the will of Christ, which he should seek out with his subjects and authoritatively make manifest to them. He ought to know thoroughly our way of proceeding according to our Institute, and he should command the things that he knows will contribute towards attaining the end proposed by God and the Society,45keeping in mind persons, places, times, and other circumstances.46

[353] #

The superior should endeavor to make his mind clearly known to his confreres and understood by them; and he should take care that they, according to the nature and importance of the matter and in proportion to their own talents and duties, share more fully in his knowledge and concern both for the personal and community life of our members and for their apostolic labors.47

[354] #

1Superiors should readily and often ask for and listen to the counsel of their brethren, of a few or of many, or even of all gathered together, according to the importance and nature of the matter, and even by means of spiritual discernment carried out in common (according to). They should gratefully welcome suggestions that their brothers offer spontaneously, but the duty of superiors themselves to decide and enjoin what ought to be done remains intact.482Directors of works, of whom nos. 406 and 407 speak, should do the same; they should be altogether alert to the advice and suggestions of their brethren, so as to be helped by them in carrying out their offices.493It is also advantageous to the Society that the superior leave much to the prudence of his confreres, and that he allow them suitable freedom in the Lord to the extent that they have made the spirit of the Society their own, especially if they are men long proven in humility and self-denial. And finally, the universal good itself will sometimes demand that, in the manner of urging what has been commanded, those in charge should also take human frailty into account.504All superiors should work together with the general and all officials with local superiors, in order to encourage implementation of what has been decided, in such a way that all will understand that there is in the Society but a single, identical spirit.51

CN PART IX CHAPTER 4 #

[355] #

1In order that they may more easily discover the will of God, all superiors should have their own consultors and should often hear their opinions, ordinarily when all are gathered for a common consultation. They should also use the service of experts in reaching decisions on complex matters.522However, in the Society the consent or advice of consultors is never required in order to act validly, apart from those particular cases specified in the law;53but superiors should not act against the unanimous advice of their consultors without the approval of their major superior.54

[356] #

1With due regard to what pertains to the general counselors and the general’s admonitor, consultors and admonitors of other superiors are appointed by the immediate higher superior of the one whose consultors and admonitors they are.2In order that members may take an effective part in the selection of consultors of the house and of the province,2 1Generally at the time of his visitation of the houses, the major superior should inquire into the opinion of members of the community concerning the current or prospective consultors.2 2In their official letters to the general and after hearing the views of their own consultors and other members of the community, local superiors are to submit their opinion of the province consultors. If the present consultors are not satisfactory, they should indicate others who may seem to be suited for this position.55

[357] #

Superiors should show justified severity towards those who inappropriately communicate to others what occurred in a consultation, even to the point of their being removed as consultors, if necessary.56

[358] #

1With due regard to what is said about the socius of major superiors in, other officials of the provincial curia are appointed by the provincial himself; but the province treasurer and the revisor of the arcas of the province are to be approved by the general.2All stable officials of the houses (minister, treasurer, spiritual director) are appointed by the provincial, with the exception of those whose appointment he has left to the local superior. The tertian instructor and novice director are to be approved by the general.57

CN PART IX CHAPTER 5 #

[359] #

It is up to the superior general according to changing circumstances to determine the norms for writing official letters, as well as letters or news for spiritual edification and catalogues that are to be pre-pared.58

[360] #

It is also up to the general to make determinations regarding confidential information to be obtained before superiors take certain decisions concerning persons.59

[361] #

Those who reveal confidential information are to be reproved according to the gravity of the deed.60

CN PART IX SECTION 2 #

CN PART IX SECTION 2 CHAPTER 1 #

[362] #

1Although the superior general is elected for life and not for any determined time,61he may nonetheless in good conscience and by law resign from his office for a grave reason that would render him permanently unequal to the labors of his post.622When the superior general, either of his own accord but after consultation with the assistants for provident care, or after he has been so advised by them, will have judged that it is proper to resign his office, he should ask these assistants and the provincials of the whole Society to take a secret vote on the seriousness of the causes. These votes should all be counted in the presence of the assistants for provident care and the secretary of the Society. If a majority judges that a general congregation ought to be convoked for the purpose of making provision for the supreme government of the Society, the superior general ought then to summon it.633But if a majority does not so judge, it is left entirely to the superior general to do what in conscience seems best to him according to our Institute.4When a general congregation is in session for other business, the general may propose his resignation to it, for a grave reason that would render him permanently unequal to the labors of his post and after consultation with the assistants for provident care.5The superior general’s resignation from office does not take effect until it has been accepted by the Society in a general congregation.64

CN PART IX SECTION 2 CHAPTER 2 #

[363] #

The obligation that binds the provincials in the sight of God to consider and do what they ought for the universal good of the whole Society in those matters that concern the superior general they will generally fulfill through the assistants for provident care, unless the matter should be extremely urgent.65

[364] #

1A general congregation according to its formula must elect,66from among the professed of four solemn vows, four assistants for provident care from different assistancies, keeping in mind the general counselors appointed by the general, but with the freedom of the congregation remaining intact to choose other persons.672They should be upright men, faithful, lovers of the Society and of the common good, endowed with the gift of discretion, adept at conserving peace and union among themselves and with the general.683Since, by decision of the general congregation, they are also general counselors,69they should be men experienced in matters of business, suited for dealing with people, and best equipped to proffer counsel on behalf of the entire Society.70

[365] #

Every third month, the assistant who has been professed for the longest time should convoke the others, and they should consider among themselves whether it seems that the general should be warned about any matter, whether in regard to his own person or to his governance; they should caution him if at least half of them so judge.71

[366] #

1If at least a majority of the assistants for provident care, out of their knowledge and love of the Society, will have judged that the superior general ought for a grave reason to resign his office, they should advise him of this through the admonitor.722But if, because of grave illness or senility, the superior general shows himself to be very negligent or remiss or even useless in important matters referring to his office and where there is no hope of improvement in the case, and if a majority of the assistants for provident care, after having earnestly recommended the matter to God and sought necessary advice from experts, judge that grave harm might come to the Society from it,73they should ask him to resign his office.3But if the general in this case cannot resign his office or is unwilling to do so,3 1Let the one whom the superior general had previously designated for this eventuality, according to the norm of, be installed as temporary vicar general; but if the general had not done this, such a vicar should be elected according to the Formula for Electing a Temporary Vicar General.743 2The temporary vicar general so constituted should, after consulting with the assistants for provident care, convoke a general congregation as soon as possible to provide for the situation.754If the general congregation thus convoked, after being fully informed by the vicar general and the assistants for provident care, will have declared the superior general definitively incapable of governing the Society without serious damage, for the reasons given in, it should elect a new superior general who will completely take the place of the former in his office; otherwise it should provide for the situation with appropriate means, avoiding the election of a perpetual vicar general.76

CN PART IX SECTION 2 CHAPTER 3 77 #

[367] #

A vicar of a superior general is constituted, either to act in place of the general after the termination of his office (because of death, resignation accepted by a general congregation, or other reasons), until the election of his successor, or to assist the general while he is still living, or even sometimes to be his substitute.78

CN PART IX SECTION 2 Article 1 #

[368] #

1A vicar general who is to govern the Society after the general’s death or after he has been judged to be too seriously incapacitated to govern according to the Constitutions79and the Complementary Norms80ought to be designated by the general himself. The document by which he is designated is to be signed by the secretary of the Society in the presence of the fathers of the General Curia who have a right in virtue of their office to attend a general congregation and who are actually present. It is to be given for authentication to the two assistants for provident care who are oldest by profession and is to be read by the older of the two.2If a vicar general has not been designated by the deceased general or by the general judged to be very seriously incapable for governing, one should be elected according to the norm in the Formula of a Congregation for Electing a Temporary Vicar General.81

[369] #

1The duty of a vicar general after the death of the superior general or after he has been judged to be gravely incapacitated for governing the Society is:1 1To convoke a general congregation, to prepare for it, and to preside over it until the election of the general; or in the second case, until a different decision is taken by the general congregation, unless he retains his condition as vicar;1 2To take the place of the general in governing the Society.822In this governance he has the same power as the general,83to be carried out according to what is set down in the rules of his office.

CN PART IX SECTION 2 Article 2 #

[370] #

1In the very act of presenting his resignation, the superior general can appoint from among the electors of the congregation a vicar general who will carry out the office after his resignation has been accepted; but if he does not wish to designate anyone, the vicar general will be the oldest by profession of the assistants for provident care.842This vicar general has the same powers as a vicar after the death of a general, until the election of a successor.

[371] #

A perpetual vicar, perhaps at times elected by a general congregation as a coadjutor vicar, can be constituted without right of succession or with right of succession (after the permission of the Holy See has been obtained insofar as it is necessary) with power to be determined by the congregation itself in all details, as in each case it seems good to the congregation.85

[372] #

1In the case of a long absence or for handling extraordinary business or because of a serious illness that impedes him from carrying out his office, the superior general has the right to substitute for himself a temporary vicar with those powers which will seem good to him.862If the general for whatever cause is completely impeded physically from carrying out his office for a long time or for a time whose duration the majority of the assistants for provident care judge they cannot foresee, and if the general has not appointed a vicar for this eventuality, a vicar general should be constituted as soon as possible according to the norm of the Formula for Electing a Temporary Vicar General; he will govern the Society according to the norm of the Office of a Vicar General for the time that the general remains impeded.

[373] #

The superior general also has the right to appoint a vicar to assist him as often as it may seem to him to be necessary or convenient to do so, with those powers that will seem good to him.87

CN PART IX SECTION 2 CHAPTER 4 #

[374] #

1The assistants for provident care must remain with the superior general; he is not permitted to send them far away from himself for a long time without necessity or a serious reason. But if he does send them, they are not to offer an excuse but are to obey him. Even more so is it fitting for them to obey if they are sent by the supreme pontiff, although the superior general at his discretion should see whether the supreme pontiff should rather be asked to consent to send someone else.882Without necessity, neither the superior of the General Curia nor the secretary of the Society should be chosen from among the assistants for provident care.89

[375] #

Besides other business expressly mentioned, assistants for provident care have a deliberative vote in all matters in which provincials have a deliberative vote outside the time of a general congregation.90

[376] #

1Their office, also as general counselors,91continues until the election of new assistants for provident care, which takes place in every general congregation. Former assistants can be reelected to the same office.922Assistants for provident care cannot resign from their office either at their own discretion or at that of the general.3But it is the right and the obligation of the general to substitute others for them:3 1If they should die;3 2If, after consultation with the other assistants for provident care, he judges them unworthy of their office;3 3If, after consultation with the other assistants for provident care, he judges that, because of notably impaired strength or for another reason, they are so unequal to their task that it is foreseen that the Society may thereby be in danger of serious harm;3 4If for the same or another grave reason they themselves request it of the general, after consultation with the other assistants for provident care;3 5If for a long period of time they either must be away or cannot perform their office for reasons of health.4In the first four cases ofabove, a new assistant for provident care is to be appointed; in the fifth case, a substitute for him is to be appointed.5As soon as possible, the general must seek the approval of the assistants for provident care and the provincials, after he has given them appropriate information about the man he has chosen. The approval of a majority of the assistants for provident care and the provincials is required for the validity of the appointment. Therefore, until such time as this majority is ascertained, the new assistant for provident care does not have the right to cast a vote on matters in which the Institute gives a deliberative vote to such assistants, nor does he have a right to attend congregations, whether a general congregation, a congregation of procurators, or a congregation to elect a temporary vicar.6A substitute assistant has the same rights, under the same conditions, but for no longer than the assistant for whom he is substituting or, in the judgment of the general, is impeded; neither does a substitute assistant ever, when the regular assistant is present, have a right to a congregation, whether a general one, or a congregation of procurators, or a congregation for electing a temporary vicar.93

[377] #

A temporary vicar general who takes office when a general dies or has been judged to be too incapacitated to govern must have four assistants for provident care or their substitutes. Therefore, if any one of them is lacking, a temporary substitute must be designated according to the norm of nos. 7 and 12 of the Office of Vicar General.94Such a substitute has the same rights as substitutes appointed by the general and approved by a majority of the assistants for provident care and the provincials, with the exception of the right to a general congregation or a congregation for electing a temporary vicar.95

[378] #

1Those who must take the oath prescribed for assistants for provident care96are the following:1 1Assistants for provident care whom a general congregation elects, in the presence of the congregation itself and immediately after the election;1 2Assistants for provident care and their substitutes whom a general has named, in the presence of those fathers of the general curia who by reason of office have a right to attend a general congregation, but not before a majority of assistants for provident care have approved their nomination. However, if the general should die before they take the oath, then there is no need for them to do so.2The oath is not a necessary condition for assistants for provident care and their substitutes to acquire the rights mentioned in-.97

[379] #

1The general’s admonitor, who can be chosen freely from the assistants for provident care or from other members of the Society, must be professed of the four solemn vows.98He should be a man who is a good religious, familiar with God in prayer, advanced in age, of sound and mature judgment, well versed in the Institute and matters of the Society, possessing great zeal for the Institute joined to discretion and prudence, not at all credulous or timid; rather he should be such as would be thought acceptable to the superior general and not apt to betray his office or the good of the Society because of human respect.992What is legislated inabout the election of assistants for provident care, their duration in office, and the substitution for them should be applied to the admonitor as well;100however, if the admonitor is absent for only a brief time, the general himself can substitute another for him.101

CN PART IX SECTION 2 CHAPTER 5 #

CN PART IX SECTION 2 CHAPTER 5 Article 1 #

[380] #

1The council of the superior general will be composed of about twelve members.2To the council belong the assistants for provident care, regional assistants, and other general counselors to whom some sector or aspect of the life of the universal Society is entrusted by the superior general. One and the same person can combine different functions. The secretary of the Society is the secretary of the council, but he is not a general counselor.1023During a general congregation, the superior general will appoint at least as many general counselors as are necessary to carry out the functions of the regional assistants. He will choose these counselors from lists prepared in advance by the electors of each assistancy. Each of these lists will contain three names, usually drawn from the membership of the respective assistancies. But outside this process, the general, with a deliberative vote of the assistants for provident care and after hearing the opinions of the other general counselors, can appoint other general counselors, who will be in charge of important areas of the Society’s life. Former general counselors can be reappointed by the superior general.103

[381] #

1It is recommended that the general counselors who are not assistants for provident care remain in office for six to eight years, and that they should not all be replaced at the same time.1042Outside the time of a general congregation, when appointing a general counselor to carry on the function of a regional assistant, the superior general will seek from the provincials of the respective assistancy three names of candidates, from which he will make the appointment.1053Outside the time of a general congregation, for appointing a general counselor who will not be an assistant for provident care or a regional assistant, the superior general should hear the opinions of the other general counselors and seek the deliberative vote of the assistants for provident care.106

[382] #

1The council should collaborate organically with the general to determine policy and to make decisions and carry them out. They should not only consider matters proposed to them by the general but should also propose matters to be considered and promote discernment regarding serious and universal matters.1072If Father General sets up a reduced group within the council to deal with administrative matters and current questions that do not require the cooperation of all the counselors, it is recommended that the assistants for provident care should be part of it and that all its members have a certain stability in office, so that they are not changed too often or several changed at the same time.1083Major officials and sectorial secretaries will participate in meetings of the general council whenever their particular competence would be helpful, and in enlarged meetings which will be called periodically.109

CN PART IX SECTION 2 CHAPTER 5 Article 2 #

[383] #

1Besides a secretary of the Society who assists the superior general in carrying on ordinary business,110there should also be a general procurator and a general treasurer, appointed by the general.2The general procurator should handle the business of the Society with the Holy See and other affairs entrusted to him by the general, and for the most part he should remain with the general.1113It is the task of the general treasurer to care for temporal business pertaining to the universal Society and for those items that the general has committed to his care, even though they are of a more restricted character.1124A general postulator can be appointed by the superior general to act in his name in causes of canonization of Servants of God from the Society.113

CN PART IX SECTION 2 CHAPTER 5 Article 3 #

[384] #

1The superior general should have expert counselors who are necessary for considering major aspects of the life and apostolic activity either of the entire Society or of some principal part of it. These will help him in a special way by their advice in such matters.114For the most part they should not remain in this position for more than about eight years.1152Some of these expert counselors should generally be designated executive sectorial secretaries and placed in charge of the offices that exist in the Curia for these matters or that it may seem appropriate to establish.

[385] #

In general, care should be taken that the superior general does not lack any type of help which is necessary or useful for fully and expeditiously carrying out his office.116

CN PART IX SECTION 2 CHAPTER 5 Article 4 #

[386] #

1The superior general can send visitors into the provinces on whatever occasion, for whatever length of time, and with whatever authority and jurisdiction seem good to him. However, it is recommended that they do not long remain in office nor enjoy indeterminate authority and jurisdiction.2Upon the death of the general, the office of Visitors continues until either the vicar general, having heard the general counselors, or the new superior general determines otherwise.117

CN PART IX SECTION 3 #

CN PART IX SECTION 3 CHAPTER 1 #

[387] #

1The Society is divided into provinces and regions (which can also be called missions).2Regions (missions) are either dependent on some province or immediately subject to the superior general; in the latter case, they are called independent.118

[388] #

1By universal law and our own law, the general can establish, unite, divide, or suppress provinces and regions (missions), once he has given the matter careful consideration and has discussed it with the general counselors.1192A province should not be established if it does not have at least fifty ascribed members and unless there is hope that its territory can exist independently of some other one and carry on apostolic activities proper to the Society.3For the most part, several provinces are not to be established in the same territory, even where a difference in language or nationality exists. Nor as a rule should houses of one province be established in the territory of another province. But the general, after hearing the opinions of the major superiors concerned and under conditions to be approved by him, can permit this in favor of those who are suffering persecution on behalf of Christ or for other serious reasons.120

[389] #

1Each person belongs to that province to which he was admitted; it is the prerogative of the general alone to transcribe someone definitively into another province.2By mutual consent of the provincials involved, members of one province can be sent to another province or applied to it temporarily.3Those members should be applied to another province who receive as their principal task a stable assignment directed primarily to the good of that province and not their own, whether for a definite or an indefinite time; the application lasts until some other provision is made for them.4Those men are not to be applied to another province who are living in it for reasons of studies, probations, health, or business that is not the responsibility of that province; nor are those who are assigned to a house or a work that is immediately dependent on the general or that has been declared by the general a work common to several provinces (provided that they belong to one of those provinces).121

[390] #

1Those who staying in another province, even if they are not applied to it and even if they staying there but a brief time, nonetheless are dependent upon the superiors of this province, particularly as regards religious discipline and the exercise of the ministry; these superiors are to look after them with no less paternal solicitude than they have for their own subjects.2But if they have come for the sake of transacting business and there is no local superior whom they ought to consult insofar as possible, they should utilize the guidance of the provincial of the place.122

CN PART IX SECTION 3 CHAPTER 2 #

[391] #

1The duty of major superiors is to foster in the provinces or regions entrusted to them religious life, the training of our men, apostolic ministries, and observance of the Constitutions and our Institute; and with the aid of competent assistants, they are to take care of temporal administration, seeking always in all things the greater service of Christ’s Church.1232Although their power is communicated by the general and is to be exercised under his direction and in subordination to him,124this power, as given to them either by common law or the Society’s law in virtue of their office, is ordinary power.1253The particular and proper duty of major superiors is to visit the houses and works of their province or region.126They ought diligently to aid rectors and local superiors in carrying out their own function, showing them confidence and sharing broad power with them as the matter may demand.127

[392] #

It is a right proper to provincials, but not to any regional (mission) superiors,3 1To give his judgment in case of the resignation of the general, which is treated in,1283 2To vote in the election of an assistant for provident care, his substitute, and the admonitor, outside the time of a general congregation, according to the norm of-,.129

[393] #

According to need, major superiors are to be assisted by helpers; but above all they are to have a socius, appointed by the general, observing what is said in, about consultors and an admonitor.130

[394] #

In general, and with due regard for, whatever in the Institute is said of provincials is, unless the contrary is clear, to be understood as well of superiors of independent regions (missions); but what is said of superiors of dependent regions (missions) must be understood with whatever restriction was imposed when they were established or else is in the rules.131

CN PART IX SECTION 3 CHAPTER 3 #

[395] #

1Today many problems are global in nature and therefore require global solutions. Human society itself tends toward a certain unity. Hence, it is appropriate that our Society, which forms one international apostolic body, should live its universal spirit more profoundly, should effectively coordinate its resources and means and strengthen its structures, either those already established or other more flexible ones which render global and regional cooperation easier, so that it may more efficaciously respond to these problems.1322According to the genuine spirit of our vocation,133that open and complete cooperation which today is more and more a requisite for apostolic action should be promoted among all the Society’s members, whatever their province or region, as well as that spirit of union and charity that boldly rejects every brand of particularism and egoism, even of a collective kind, and reaches out readily and generously to the universal good of the Society in the service of God’s Church.134

[396] #

Approximately every six years beginning from the last general congregation, the superior general shall convoke a meeting of all provincials, in order to consider the state, the problems, and the initiatives of the universal Society, as well as international and supraprovincial cooperation.135

[397] #

1Major superiors should turn their attention to the needs of the whole Society. They should look on interprovincial and international activities, houses, and works as part of their duty and responsibility and willingly help them according to the measure and proportion worked out by the superior general for each of the individual provinces or regions.2If they judge that because of their proper talents and the movement of grace, some of their subjects would in a special way advance the good of souls in another province, they ought to be prepared, where it seems appropriate, to allow it according to well-ordered charity; moreover, using norms for the choice of ministries in a supernatural spirit, they should not hesitate to discontinue some established works of their own province that seem less useful, in order to undertake a more fruitful or a more needed ministry elsewhere.136

[398] #

1To be promoted among our members or institutions enjoying similar or complementary expertise are mutual help and intercommunication as well as cooperation, so that more universal problems may be addressed in union with other women and men of goodwill and with organizations pursuing the same objectives.1372Recommended are the mutually enriching exchanges between provinces united to one another by some special bond, with thoroughly redefined goals and manners of proceeding, in order to achieve greater solidarity and a more effective matching of resources with needs.1383Development of conferences of major superiors of the same region or similar cultures is to be promoted. Among their principal objectives are the following: to foster a sense of universality in the provinces; to facilitate unity, communication, and a common vision among superiors; to point out priorities and coordinate common activities; and to stimulate those superiors to offer mutual assistance in fulfilling their responsibilities for the Society and the Church. The statutes of these conferences are to be approved by the general.1394As the conferences become more structured, true and productive interprovincial and supraprovincial cooperation will require the effective leadership of a moderator. His function will be to assist in the development of a common vision for the region and for the whole Society; to guide the efforts of the major superiors toward the discerning of priorities, planning, and decision making; to carry out decisions and implement policies; to oversee common undertakings, projects, and services; and to promote every form of cooperation among members and works of the provinces and regions of the conference.140

[399] #

The authority of the moderator and the responsibility of the major superiors of the conference, along with procedures for making decisions, are to be specified in its statutes. The moderator must have the authority needed to call its major superiors to plan and set priorities; and then to call them to carry out the required actions both within the provinces and regionally. The major superiors themselves remain jointly responsible to implement actions decided upon and to provide the resources needed to sustain common works.141

[400] #

Even where conferences of major superiors have already been established, the general can grant authority to another to deal with interprovincial business that exceeds the power of the conference or its moderator and therefore devolves upon the general himself. In such cases, the major superiors and the moderators themselves are subject to the person thus appointed, who will observe clearly defined norms as he works to resolve either a particular problem or even one that pertains to the common good of a region.142

CN PART IX SECTION 4 #

[401] #

1Houses of the Society are of different types:1 1Houses dedicated to apostolic functions, which can have joined to them institutes or apostolic works (pastoral institutes, parishes, retreat houses, reviews, colleges, universities, centers of doctrinal research and/or publication, and the like);1 2Houses for the service of the Society: either for the spiritual formation or studies of our members (our seminaries or houses of probation and formation) or for the care of our elderly and infirm (infirmaries).1432The word house when used without qualification can designate all of these, unless something else appears from the context.144

[402] #

1The faculty of erecting any independent houses of the Society or of converting them to other very different uses, with due observance of the law, belongs to the superior general.1452To him also belongs the faculty to grant to apostolic institutions canonical juridical responsibility independent of our communities, according to the norm of law.1463The faculty of dissolving, alienating, or transferring houses of any type as well as apostolic institutes of the Society belongs to the general, according to the norm of law, after hearing his council and the major superior under whose jurisdiction it is located.147

[403] #

1The service of authority proper to a local superior refers to the individual members of the community and to the community itself as a whole.148He should understand as applying to himself what is said about superiors in general in nos. 349-354.2It is the responsibility of the superior, after he has shared with the individual in his discernment, to see to it that the apostolic work of each is properly integrated into the global mission of the Society. It pertains to him to focus the mission assigned to each by the major superior and to promote the sense of apostolic solidarity of all the members of the community, even of those who may be engaged in very diversified activities.149He should foster spiritual discernment in common where the proper dispositions for it exist, according to our way of proceeding in the Society. He should keep the community united in love and obedience.150

[404] #

1As necessity demands, the local superior should be helped by assistants.151In addition to a treasurer, he should have a minister to help him in preserving the order of the community, to look after all needs, and to supervise offices that deal with material life.1522Insofar as possible there should also be in every house a spiritual director, appointed by the provincial, with due respect for the freedom of each one to go to his own spiritual director.153

[405] #

Vice-superiors of dependent houses have the authority that they have received from the major superior or the local superior.

[406] #

1If one person alone cannot effectively carry out the governance of both the community and the apostolic institute of the Society associated with it because of their importance or complexity or for other reasons, it is the right of the major superior to establish either a vice-superior (or superior of the community ), to whom the superior habitually delegates the care of the community and its members, or a director of the work, whatever may be his title, to whom he habitually delegates responsibility for directing the institute or apostolic work. Such delegated vice-superiors or directors of the work are immediately dependent on the one appointed as the superior, and should give him an account of the office entrusted to him.2When, however, the governance of an apostolic institute, whether proper to the Society or entrusted to its responsibility and conjoined to a community, is independent of the community or for various reasons ought to be independent, a director of the work can be appointed who is immediately dependent on the provincial in carrying out his function, with due observance of any existing civil regulations. This can also be the case when an apostolic work is connected with several communities. Its director depends on the superior of the community to which he belongs in other aspects of his personal religious life.3When there is question of works of greater importrance, namely, an educational institution, a center of research and social action, a periodical of great influenmce, and so on, the major superior should not make changes in governance, as mentioned in-, without the general’s approval.154When he gives such approval, he will also determine the way a director of the work is to be appointed, insofar as this is necessary, in view of the concrete situation.

[407] #

1A director of the work in institutes proper to the Society or entrusted to its responsibility, or even considered as such in the public mind because he received from it his mission to undertake this work, has the religious-apostolic authority, as defined in his appointment, that enables him to effectively direct our members who work with him and the institute itself to the end proposed, according to its proper Ignatian character.1552Even if the local superior (or vice-superior of the community ) does not have the direction of the apostolic institute, he nevertheless retains the responsibility to confirm his brethren in their apostolic mission and to see to it that their religious and community life is such as to enable them to fulfill that mission with God’s grace.1563There should always exist, strengthened if necessary by appropriate statutes, a close collaboration in their respective functions between the superior (or vice-superior of the community) and the director of the work; even though they have distinct functions to fulfill, they work in one and the same area of responsibility and mission in a way that is complementary and unified. The relation each of them has with the members both of the community and of the work should be clearly defined, as well as the relation of the members with each of them.1574A Jesuit community associated with an apostolic work has the role of sharing the basic inspiration of the Society with the entire apostolic community composed of laity and religious; it will share by means of word, witness, and inspiration, through the objectives therein set forth, through values discovered and presented, through the human relations proper to every work of the Society.158

[408] #

1The general can declare a house to be common to its own province and to another province or provinces, or even committed to the shared responsibility of the conference of major superiors, if this seems appropriate,159either because the house serves the needs of all these provinces or because all these provinces must contribute to the maintenance of the house, or for both reasons.1602In regard to these houses, the following must be observed, with due regard also for, about nonapplication of members from other provinces to the province in which the house is located:2 1Unless by decree of the general they are placed under the moderator of the conference of major superiors or someone who enjoys special jurisdiction over them, their governance belongs to the provincial in whose territory they are located. But it is appropriate in matters of greater moment that he should consult the provincials of the other provinces with whom each such house is common.2 2When a common work is under the care of a conference, any division at the level of major superior between apostolic responsibility for the work and cura personalis of those assigned to it on a permanent basis should be avoided as much as possible, so as to safeguard the normal conditions necessary for authentic Ignatian government.1612 3Established rules and objective criteria are to govern the assignment of personnel from the provinces and regions to common houses. When a major superior is asked to make a particular man available for a common house, he should normally give this request a priority at least equal to the needs of his own province or region.1622 4Members who work in a common house, although not applied to that province, are subject to the one on whom, according to the norm of, the house directly depends, as if he were their own major superior. Other provincials can (and must) visit their own subjects living in common houses. If they have any observation to make about the house, they should make it known to the competent superior. But they are not to grant any faculty, dispensation, or permission to their own subjects in a common house, since this pertains to the provincial to whom the governance of the house directly belongs.163

[409] #

The same observations about a common house apply, with the necessary adaptations, to a work or apostolic institute common to several provinces.

  1. CollDecr d. 3, §1 ( GC 4, d. 19; GC 7, d. 76); see FI of Paul III and Julius III, no. 2; Paul III, Iniunctum nobis. ↩︎

  2. See Canon 58; Canon 439-440. ↩︎

  3. GC 32, d. 13, no. 5; Form. of Cong. of Proc., no 2, §4. ↩︎

  4. CollDecr d. 241 ( GC 5, d. 2); Form. of Prov. Cong., no. 31, §1. ↩︎

  5. CollDecr d. 4, §1 ( GC 1, d. 143; GC 7, d. 76); see FI of Julius III, no. 2; Paul III, Iniunctum nobis. ↩︎

  6. CollDecr d. 4, §4 ( GC 1, d. 143). ↩︎

  7. CollDecr d. 248 ( GC 12, dd. 53, no. 1). ↩︎

  8. CollDecr d. 249 ( GC 12, dd. 35, GC 12, dd. 53). ↩︎

  9. CollDecr d. 250 ( GC 4, d. 3; GC 7, d. 72; GC 17, d. 12). ↩︎

  10. CollDecr d. 251 ( GC 23, d. 39; GC 7, d. 36). ↩︎

  11. CollDecr d. 252 ( GC 6, d. 45; GC 7, d. 94). ↩︎

  12. See GC 31, d. 17, no. 4; see P. VIII, c. 1, no. 6, G C 666; 667; P. X, no. 8 C_10-820 ↩︎

  13. See Canon 625, §3. ↩︎

  14. See P. IX, c. 1 C_9-719. ↩︎

  15. See P. IX, c. 3, no. 14 C_9-757; c. 6, no. 6 C_9-797. ↩︎

  16. See P. IX, c. 3, no. 14 C_9-757; P. IV, c. 10, no. 3 C_4-421. ↩︎

  17. See Canon 62; Canon 441. ↩︎

  18. Institute, passim. ↩︎

  19. See Gregory XIV, Ecclesiae catholicae; S. C. for Propagation of the Faith, Feb. 23 and Apr. 4, 1880; P. IV, c. 10, no. 3 C_4-421; c. 17, no. 1 C_4-490; P. IX, c. 3, nos. 3, 14, 15 C 740; 757; 759; c. 5, no. 1 C_9-778; GC 32, d. 14, no. 7, a. ↩︎

  20. See Canon 623; Canon 513, §1. ↩︎

  21. See CollDecr d. 244 ( GC 4, d. 32). ↩︎

  22. See CollDecr d. 242 (see GC 9, d. 35). ↩︎

  23. See CollDecr d. 243 ( GC 8, d. 20; GC 17, d. 9; see GC 12, d. 17, no. 1). ↩︎

  24. See Canon 274, §1; 129, §1; 588, §2; Canon 979, §1. ↩︎

  25. See CollDecr d. 246, §1 ( GC 8, d. 43; GC 19, d. 9; GC 9, d. 10). ↩︎

  26. CollDecr d. 246, §2 ( GC 17, d. 7). ↩︎

  27. See GC 31, d. 41, no. 1; P. IX, c. 1 C_9-719- C_9-722; Paul V, Quantum religio. ↩︎

  28. GC 31, d. 23, E, III, 1; see CN_9-376-1- CN_0-5. ↩︎

  29. See CollDecr d. 272, §2 ( GC 3, d. 42; GC 4, d. 24; GC 6, d. 27, no. 2; GC 17, d. 8). ↩︎

  30. CollDecr d. 247, §1 ( GC 2, d. 68; GC 5, d. 35). ↩︎

  31. CollDecr d. 247, §§2, 3 (see GC 2, d. 68; GC 12, d. 30; GC 5, d. 16); see P. IX, c. 3, no. 4, I C_9-757- C_9-758. ↩︎

  32. See Some General Norms for the Use of Provincials and Local Superiors to Foster Better Governance, Oct. 8, 1975 (ActRSJ 16:561-610). ↩︎

  33. GC 31, d. 17, no. 4; see also GC 31, d. 17, 8. ↩︎

  34. GC 31, d. 46, no. 2; see P. IX, c. 2, no. 5 C_9-728. ↩︎

  35. See GC 32, d. 11, no. 29. ↩︎

  36. See Vat. Council II, Perfectae caritatis, no. 14. ↩︎

  37. See GC 31, d. 17, no. 6. ↩︎

  38. See P. VI, c. 1, no. 1 C_6-547; c. 5 C_6-602. ↩︎

  39. See GC 31, d. 19, no. 12. ↩︎

  40. See CollDecr d. 254 ( GC 20, d. 16; GC 21, d. 27). ↩︎

  41. GC 31, d. 17, no. 4. ↩︎

  42. See P. I, c. 2, no. 13 C_1-161; P. II, c. 3, A C_2-219; P. III, c. 1, no. 15 C_3-269; P. IV, c. 10, no. 4 C_4-423; P. VII, c. 2, F C_7-624; P. IX, c. 2, no. 3 C_9-726. ↩︎

  43. See P. II, c. 3, no. 4 C_2-222; P. IX, c. 2, no. 3 C_9-726. ↩︎

  44. See P. IX, c. 2, no. 1 C_9-723. ↩︎

  45. See FI of Paul III and Julius III, no. 2. ↩︎

  46. See GC 31, d. 17, no. 5; P. X, c. 2, no. 3 C_9-726. ↩︎

  47. See GC 31, d. 17, no. 8. ↩︎

  48. See GC 31, d. 17, no. 6. ↩︎

  49. GC 32, d. 11, no. 29. ↩︎

  50. See GC 31, d. 17, no. 7. ↩︎

  51. CollDecr d. 256 ( GC 6, d. 37, no. 4); see P. VIII, c. 1, nos. 4, 6 C 662; 666. ↩︎

  52. See GC 31, d. 17, no. 6; P. IV, c. 10, no. 7 C_4-431; P. IX, c. 6, nos. 10, 14, F, I C 803; 804; 810; 811. ↩︎

  53. See Gregory XIV, Ecclesiae catholicae; Pius XI, Paterna caritas; P. IX, c. 6, no. 14 C_9-810. ↩︎

  54. See P. IV, c. 17, H C_4-503. ↩︎

  55. GC 31, d. 47. ↩︎

  56. CollDecr d. 257 ( GC 7, d. 99; GC 8, d. 45). ↩︎

  57. See P. IV, c. 10, no. 6 C_4-428. ↩︎

  58. See CollDecr d. 291 ( GC 3, d. 33); P. VIII, d. 1, no. 9, L C_8-673- C_8-674; P. IX, c. 6 A, no. 3 C 790; 792. ↩︎

  59. See CollDecr d. 258, §1 ( GC 7, d. 98; GC 8, d. 45; GC 9, d. 37); see P. V, c. 2, no. 1 C_5-516; P. IX, c. 3, A C_9-737. ↩︎

  60. See CollDecr d. 258, §3 ( GC 7, d. 23). ↩︎

  61. See P. IX, c. 1 C_9-719. ↩︎

  62. CollDecr d. 260, §1 ( GC 31, d. 41, no. 2, §1). ↩︎

  63. CollDecr d. 260, §4 ( GC 31, d. 41, no. 2, §4). ↩︎

  64. CollDecr d. 260, §5 ( GC 31, d. 41, no. 2, §5). ↩︎

  65. See CollDecr d. 260, §3 ( GC 31, d. 41, no. 2, §2); see P. IX, c. 5, nos. 1, 4 C 778; 782. ↩︎

  66. CollDecr d. 268, §1 ( GC 1, d. 80). ↩︎

  67. GC 34, d. 23, E, II, no. 1, GC 34, d. 23, E, II, no. 2°-3°. ↩︎

  68. CollDecr d. 268, §1 ( GC 1, d. 80); see P. IX, c. 5, no. 2 C_9-779. ↩︎

  69. GC 34, d. 23, E, I, no. 2. ↩︎

  70. See CollDecr d. 268, §1; GC 33, d. 4, no. 3; Form. of Gen. Cong., no. 130; see P. IX, c. 5, no. 2, A C 779; 780. ↩︎

  71. CollDecr d. 266 ( GC 12, d. 7). ↩︎

  72. CollDecr d. 260, §3 ( GC 31, d. 41, no. 2, §3). ↩︎

  73. See P. IX, c. 4, no. 6 C_9-773; c. 5, no. 6 C_9-786. ↩︎

  74. See CollDecr d. 260, §6, 1° (GC 8, dd. 28-29; GC 12, d. 55). ↩︎

  75. See CollDecr d. 260, §6, 2°. ↩︎

  76. See P. IX, c. 5, no. 6 C_9-786, abolished by GC 34. ↩︎

  77. The expression vicar general is used here only when a vicar fully substitutes for a superior general, otherwise simply the designation vicar. The same is true when one speaks generically of a vicar. ↩︎

  78. See P. VIII, c. 4, no. 1 C_8-687; P. IX, c. 4, no. 6 C_9-773; c. 5, no. 6, D C 786; 787; GC 31, d. 41, no. 3. ↩︎

  79. P. IX, c. 4, no. 6; c. 5, no. 6 C 773; 786. ↩︎

  80. CN_9-366-3. ↩︎

  81. CollDecr d. 262, §§102 ( GC 4, d. 43); CN_9-368-1; see P. VIII, c. 4, no. 1, A C 687; 688. ↩︎

  82. See P. VIII, c. 4, no. 1, A C 687; 688; Office of Vicar, no. 1; GC 31, d. 43, no. 1. ↩︎

  83. Office of Vicar, nos. 6, 9. ↩︎

  84. See Form. of Gen. Cong., no. 88, §1. ↩︎

  85. See Form. of Gen. Cong., nos. 92, §3; 94, §1; P. IX, c. 4, no. 6 C_9-773; c. 5, no. 6 C_9-786. ↩︎

  86. CollDecr d. 262, §3 ( GC 30, d. 71; see GC 1, d. 85); see P. IX, c. 5, D C_9-787. ↩︎

  87. See CollDecr d. 262, §4 ( GC 31, d. 41, no. 3). ↩︎

  88. CollDecr d. 265, §1 (see GC 1, d. 86); P. IX, c. 5, no. 2, A C 779; 780. ↩︎

  89. CollDecr d. 265, §2 ( GC 1, d. 89; GC 4, d. 32; see GC 20, d. 5). ↩︎

  90. CollDecr d. 267 ( GC 5, d. 16; see dd. 60, 4°, and 65). ↩︎

  91. GC 34, d. 23, E, III, no. 1. ↩︎

  92. GC 34, d. 23, E, II, no. 1, 4°. ↩︎

  93. CollDecr d. 269 ( GC 30, d. 72; GC 31, d. 44, nos. 34; GC 32, d. 15); P. IX, c. 5, no. 3 C_9-781. ↩︎

  94. OfĂ­Ă­Ă­ce of Vicar, no. 7, as revised by GC 31, d. 43, no. 3. ↩︎

  95. CollDecr d. 270 ( GC 20, d. 18). ↩︎

  96. See P. IX, d. 5, no. 4 C_9-782. ↩︎

  97. CollDecr d. 271 ( GC 6, d. 27, no. 2; GC 19, d. 6); see P. IX, c. 5, no. 4 C_9-782; Form. of Gen. Cong., no. 137. ↩︎

  98. CollDecr d. 272, §1 ( GC 2, d. 22; GC 4, d. 15). ↩︎

  99. Form. of Gen. Cong., no. 139. ↩︎

  100. CollDecr d. 272, §2 ( GC 3, d. 42; GC 4, d. 24; GC 6, d. 27, no. 2; GC 17, d. 8). ↩︎

  101. CollDecr d. 272, §2 ( GC 3, d. 42). ↩︎

  102. GC 34, d. 23, E, I, nos. 1-4. ↩︎

  103. GC 34, d. 23, E, II, no. 1, 1°-2°, GC 34, d. 23, E, II, no. 1, 4°. ↩︎

  104. GC 34, d. 23, E, III, no. 2. ↩︎

  105. GC 34, d. 23, E, III, no. 3. ↩︎

  106. GC 34, d. 23, E, III, no. 4. ↩︎

  107. GC 32, d. 15, B, no. 3, a. ↩︎

  108. GC 34, d. 23, E, I, no. 6. ↩︎

  109. GC 34, d. 23, E, I, no. 5. ↩︎

  110. See P. IX, c. 6, no. 8, E, 9 C_9-800- C_9-802. ↩︎

  111. See P. IX, c. 6, no. 12 C_9-806. ↩︎

  112. GC 27, CollDecr d. 273; see P. IX, c. 6, no. 12 C_9-806. ↩︎

  113. See Norms for Causes of the Saints, Feb. 7, 1983 (AAS 75 [1983]: 396-397). ↩︎

  114. See GC 31, d. 44, no. 7, 3°. ↩︎

  115. See GC 32, d. 15, no. 3, c. ↩︎

  116. See P. IX, c. 6, no. 13 C_9-809. ↩︎

  117. See CollDecr d. 274 ( GC 31, d. 45, no. 1; d. 43, no. 4). ↩︎

  118. See CollDecr d. 19, §2; GC 33, d. 3, no. 1, §2. ↩︎

  119. See CollDecr d. 275, §1 ( GC 1, d. 108; GC 2, d. 36; GC 4, d. 6; Pius VII, Sollicitudo omnium ecclesiarum; Canon 621. ↩︎

  120. See CollDecr d. 275, §2 ( GC 31, d. 48, no. 10; see GC 7, d. 21; GC 23, d. 35). ↩︎

  121. CollDecr d. 277, §§1-3 ( GC 7, d. 60; GC 23, d. 35; GC 28, d. 43; see GC 7, d. 59; GC 9, d. 33; GC 14, d. 23; GC 16, d. 18; GC 18, d. 16; GC 24, d. 13, 3°). ↩︎

  122. CollDecr d. 277, §4 ( GC 23, d. 35; see GC 11, d. 32). ↩︎

  123. See GC 31, d. 46, no. 3; see P. IX, c. 6, no. 6 C_9-797. ↩︎

  124. See P. VIII, c. 1, no. 4 C_8-662. ↩︎

  125. GC 31, d. 46, no. 1. ↩︎

  126. See P. VIII, c. 1, I C_8-670. (See Norms of Governance for Provincials, nos. 60-66 [ActRSJ 16:585-588]). ↩︎

  127. See GC 31, d. 46, no. 3; P. IV, c. 10, nos. 4, 5, B [423-425]; P. VIII, c. 1, no. 4 C_8-662. ↩︎

  128. GC 31, d. 41, no. 2, §4. ↩︎

  129. CollDecr d. 269, §5 ( GC 31, d. 44, no. 3); see P. IV, c. 2, no. 3, A C 322; 323; P. IX, c. 4, no. 1 C_9-773; c. 5, no. 3 C_9-781. ↩︎

  130. See P. IX, c. 6, no. 14 C_9-810. ↩︎

  131. GC 27, CollDecr d. 20. ↩︎

  132. See GC 34, d. 3, no. 8, GC 34, d. 3, no. 23; GC 34, d. 5, no. 11; GC 34, d. 21, nos. 2-3, GC 34, d. 21, 5; GC 32, d. 4, no. 69, GC 32, d. 4, no. 81. ↩︎

  133. See P. III, c. 2, G C_3-304; P. IV, Pream. C_4-308; P. VII, c. 1, no. 1, B C 603; 605; GC 31, d. 48, no. 5; GC 32, d. 2, no. 23; d. 4, nos 68-69, 81. ↩︎

  134. GC 31, d. 48, nos. 1-2; see GC 32, d. 2, no. 16, GC 32, d. 2, no. 23. ↩︎

  135. GC 34, d. 23, C, no. 4. ↩︎

  136. CollDecr d. 414 (GC 30, d. 49, 2°); see GC 31, d. 46, no. 3; d. 48, no. 1. ↩︎

  137. See GC 34, d. 21, no. 14. ↩︎

  138. See GC 34, d. 21, no. 15. ↩︎

  139. See GC 34, d. 21, no. 16, GC 34, d. 21, no. 18-20; GC 31, d. 48, no. 7. ↩︎

  140. GC 34, d. 21, nos. 20-21; see also GC 34, d. 21, no. 28. ↩︎

  141. See GC 34, d. 21, no. 22. ↩︎

  142. GC 31, d. 48, no. 8, 3°, a-c. ↩︎

  143. See GC 32, d. 12, nos. 16-22; Institute, passim. ↩︎

  144. Thus, the word house in the Constitutions generally designates a house dedicated to apostolic functions. ↩︎

  145. See P. IX, c. 3, no. 17 C_9-762; Canon 609, §1; Canon 509, §1. ↩︎

  146. See GC 32, d. 12, no. 20; Canon 1303, §1, 1°; Canon 134, §1. ↩︎

  147. Approved by Pope John Paul II, Letter of June 10, 1995, from Secretariat of State. By this norm are modified the words of the Fl of Julius III, no. 2, by which the power to alienate and dissolve houses and colleges is given to a general congregation, and in Const., P. VIII, c. 2, n. 2 C_8-680. Abolished are P. IV, c. 2, no. 3, toward the end, A C 322; 323; c. 11, no. 2 C_4-441; P. IX, c. 3, nos. 5, 17, 18 C 743; 762; 763. Clarified are P. IV, c. 2, no. 3, toward the beginning C_4-322. See Canon 616, §1; Canon 510. ↩︎

  148. See P. III, c. 1, no. 23 C_3-284; c. 2 nos. 2-6 C_3-292- C_3-304; P. VI, c. 1, no. 1 C_6-547; P. VII, c. 2, no. 1 C_7-618; P. VIII, d. 1, no. 3, G C 659; 667; P. IV, c. 10, no. 5, B C 424; 425. ↩︎

  149. See GC 32, d. 4, no. 65, GC 32, d. 4, no. 67; GC 32, d. 11, no. 29. ↩︎

  150. See GC 32, d. 11, no. 24; Letter of Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Nov. 5, 1986, On Apostolic Discernment in Common, no. 41 (ActRSJ 19:692-693); GC 32, d. 11, no. 29. ↩︎

  151. See P. IX, c. 6, no. 14 C_9-810. ↩︎

  152. See P. III, c. 1, no. 16 C_3-271; P. IV, c. 10, no. 7 C_4-431. ↩︎

  153. See CollDecr d. 283 ( GC 7, d. 80, no. 19; GC 24, d. 20, no. 2; see GC 18, d. 22; GC 30, d. 40. ↩︎

  154. See Certain Directives Concerning the Distinction and Mutual Relations between Directors of Works and Superiors, AcrRSJ 16:1024ff. ↩︎

  155. See GC 32, d. 11, no. 29; Certain Directives, no. 5. ↩︎

  156. GC 32, d. 11, no. 28. ↩︎

  157. See GC 32, d. 11, no. 29; Certain Directives, no. 7. ↩︎

  158. See address of Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., Georgetown University, June 7, 1989. ↩︎

  159. See GC 34, d. 21, nos. 22-24. ↩︎

  160. See ActRSJ 14:356. ↩︎

  161. GC 34, d. 21, no. 23. ↩︎

  162. See GC 34, d. 21, no. 24. ↩︎

  163. See ActRSJ 14:356. ↩︎