Vatican to no longer allow life-time presidency of associations
The Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life issued a decree, approved in “forma specifica” by Pope Francis, that places 10-year limit on the leaders of the governing bodies of international associations. An explanatory note explains that “not infrequently the lack of limits to the mandates of government favours, in those called to govern, forms of appropriation of the charisma, personalism, and centralisation of functions”.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life today issued a general decree concerning the “Associations of the Faithful”. Approved in “forma specifica” by Pope Francis, the decree limits the mandates of the leaders of international associations of lay people, except for their founders.
The decree’s most significant innovation will change the government of international associations of the faithful, private and public, and other entities with legal personality subject to the direct supervision of the Dicastery.
The decree, which will come into effect three months from now, notes that “Not infrequently, for those called to govern, the absence of limits in terms of office favours forms of appropriation of the charism, personalisation, centralisation and expressions of self-referentiality which can easily cause serious violations of personal dignity and freedom, and even real abuses.”
L'Osservatore Romano published an article on the subject today. Signed by Fr Ulrich Rhode, dean of the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University, it points out that “associations that have had the same individuals at their helm for a long time have had negative experiences”.
By contrast, “the generational change of governing bodies, through the rotation of management responsibilities, brings great benefits to the vitality of the association. It is an opportunity for creative growth and an incentive for formative investment; it reinvigorates fidelity to the charism; it gives breath and effectiveness to the interpretation of the signs of the times; it encourages new and current ways of missionary action.”
More specifically, “the mandates of the central governing body at the international level are limited to a maximum of five years each” while the “same individuals can hold a post in the central governing body for a maximum of ten consecutive years”. This means that “Re-election is possible only after one mandate vacancy.” One exception is allowed, namely the founders of the association.
The decree applies to “international associations of the faithful recognised or created by the Apostolic See and subject to the Dicastery’s direct supervision, “i.e., those dedicated to charity work or piety or tasked with increasing Christian vocations in the world. Father Rhode stresses "the opportunity" for diocesan and national associations to adapt to such indications.
The decree refers to central governing body at international level (Art 1 and 2), i.e. the body that manages the whole association, which includes the “moderator” (Art 2 § 3-4)
The term “central governing body at international level” is new and refers to a collective body that includes the moderator, chosen by election. Such bodies will have their own statutes, which will determine the legal relationship between the moderator and the entire central governing body.
Canon law provides for limitations on the right of associations to choose their own moderators: for example, public associations aimed directly at the exercise of the apostolate are prohibited from choosing as moderators people "who exercise leadership in political parties " (Can 317 § 4).
Finally, the article by L’Osservatore Romano notes that, in addition to the 109 entities recognised or created by the Dicastery, the decree also applies (with the exception of Article 3 on election procedures) to other entities subject to supervision of the Dicastery, such as the Neocatechumenal Way, the International Organism at the Service of the Parish Cell System of Evangelisation, the World Organisation of the Cursillo Movement, and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service (CHARIS).
.png)
24/06/2022 19:32
24/05/2021 14:53
