Canon Law

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Vocation / Formation - Legal Issues

  • Amy Hereford, csj, JD, JCD
  • 6400 Minnesota Ave – Saint Louis, MO 63111
  • 314-972-4763 – amyhereford@gmail.com

Screening Tool

www.ahereford.org_data_uploads_vocappcover.jpg Based on experience working with vocation and formation directors.

Used with various communities.

Canon Law

  • CHAPTER III : THE ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES AND THE FORMATION OF MEMBERS
  • ARTICLE 1: ADMISSION TO THE NOVITIATE
  • Canon 641 The right to admit candidates to the novitiate belongs to the major Superiors, in accordance with the norms of the institute's own law.
  • Canon 642 Superiors are to exercise a vigilant care to admit only those who, besides being of required age, are healthy, have a suitable disposition, and have sufficient maturity to undertake the life which is proper to the institute. If necessary, the health, disposition and maturity are to be established by experts, without prejudice to can. 220.
  • Canon 643 §1 The following are invalidly admitted to the novitiate:
    • 1° One who has not yet completed the seventeenth year of age;
    • 2° a spouse, while the marriage lasts;
    • 3° one who is currently bound by a sacred bond to some institute of consecrated life, or is incorporated in some society of apostolic life, without prejudice to can. 684;
    • 4° one who enters the institute through force, fear or deceit, or whom the Superior accepts under the same influences;
    • 5° one who has concealed his or her incorporation in an institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life.
  • §2 An institute's own law can constitute other impediments even for the validity of admission, or attach other conditions.
  • Canon 644 Superiors are not to admit secular clerics to the novitiate without consulting their proper Ordinary; nor those who have debts which they are unable to meet.
  • Canon 645 §1 Before candidates are admitted to the novitiate they must produce proof of baptism and confirmation, and of their free status.
    • §2 The admission of clerics or others who had been admitted to another institute of consecrated life, to a society of apostolic life, or to a seminary, requires in addition the testimony of, respectively, the local Ordinary, or the major Superior of the institute or society, or the rector of the seminary.
    • §3 An institute's own law can demand further proofs concerning the suitability of candidates and their freedom from any impediment.
    • §4 The Superiors can seek other information, even under secrecy, if this seems necessary to them.

Table of Contents

Initial Info

  • Identifying Information
  • Name (First and Last)
  • Address
  • City, State ZIP
  • Phone Number(s)
  • Email Address
  • Citizenship (and SSN)
    • Immigration Status
    • Have a clear policy that can be shared with inquirers:
      • Citizen,
      • Lawful Permanent Resident
      • Temporary Resident,
      • Undocumented
      • DACA
      • cliniclegal.org
  • Date / Place of Birth
  • Current Age - have a clear policy on age
  • Current Parish / Diocese - baptismal certificate

Education

  • Schools, Colleges, Universities
  • Transcript of highest level of education – 3rd Party Verif.
  • Official transcripts of all may show disciplinary action
  • Is there education debt?
    • Reasonable? Documented? Ministerial?
    • Sources of payment:
      • Community
      • NRVC, Laboure, etc.
    • Recommendation: Service debt until finally professed + 5 years

Employment

  • Employment history &/or CV
  • Looking for
    • Stability, continuity, explain gaps.
    • types of work, ministry possibilities.
    • problems in the workplace.
    • Licenses to maintain
  • 3rd Party Verif.
    • Ministry reference
    • Social Security statement
  • Protect resume

Activities List clubs, societies or social organizations of which you are or were member or held office. High School, College, Parish, Professional, Other Reading, Hobbies, Leisure, Travel Looking for: Interests, Expectations, Finance, Family, Social Ties

Spiritual Life Prayer life Sacraments – Baptism, Confirmation Certificate – with notations: marriage, annulment, profession Spiritual Direction Catholic Education Prior entrance in a religious community Contact community: superior to superior Concealment Vocational Discernment Vocation story Experience of God and God's Call Attractions and concerns for religious life

Family Background Family of origin (behavioral) Marriage Divorce/Annulment – prior to novitiate - certificates Dispensation from the impediment Children Parenthood is a lifelong vocation Children must be independent Effect on Grandchildren Legal and behavioral issues Personal and Behavioral No legal issues here. Present as a minimum for screening.

Medical Present Medical Conditions Disabilities, allergies and dietary restrictions Medical History Psychological History Family History Lifestyle Habits Sufficient health to live the life of the institute: apostolic, missionary, cloistered Age appropriate health Required Documents Submitted by Applicant: Biographical data Autobiography in narrative form (5-10 pages) Legal and Financial Inventory Names and complete contact information of persons providing: Employment Reference (1) Personal References (3) e.g. pastoral minister, spiritual director, teacher, religious Reference from the leader of any previous religious communities you have been in Signed releases of information for references listed above: Behavioral Assessment, Medical Information Letter of request to be accepted for formation Birth Certificate Copy of Passport and Immigrant status if applicable Baptismal Certificate Marriage Certificate, divorce decree and decree of nullity (if applicable) Transcripts from most recent educational institutions Document on Remuneration (after acceptance, prior to arrival) Required Documents Submitted by others on behalf of applicant: Physical exam (supplied by primary physician) Vision exam (supplied by vision examiner) Dental exam (supplied by dentist) Behavioral assessment Criminal Check Letter of affirmation by mentor Letter of affirmation by Vocation Director Letters from Personal References: How long have you known the person? In what capacity have you know the person? Describe the person generally? How would you assess the persons aptitude for religious life? Inventory A. Religious and Marital Status B. Citizenship and Immigration Status C. Family and Fiduciary Responsibilities D. Health Care, Pension and Social Security E. Ministry, Business and Professional F. Banking and Financial Interests G. Real and Personal Property H. Debts and Liabilities I. Settlements and Other Legal and Professional Concerns

Individual Formation Plan

Policy, Congregation, Individual Formation spans several leadership teams, several formation persons Dealing with various issues over time Property, immigration, debt, property, license, professional obligations, employment, insurance, etc. Written, but flexible

Ethical Issues

Serving the discerner Discerner’s freedom is respected and fostered –community freedom as well Discerning with minors Meeting in public spaces Honesty regarding discerner and community Appropriate record-keeping and confidentiality

Formation

  • Pre-entrance - discernment and screening
  • Pre-novitiate - preparation for novitiate for this candidate:
    • Theology, Language, Immigration, Family, Finance, Professional
  • Novitiate - Sabbatical for formation
    • Beginning of religious life.
    • Learn more about the history, spirit and charism of the Congregation
    • Prepare to live as a publicly vowed religious in the Church.
    • At least one year, ordinarily two years, no more than 2 1/2.
    • Novice director and Novitiate.
  • Temporary Profession
    • Life as a professed religious
    • Accountability and responsibility
    • Continued preparation for final profession
    • Sharing common life and ministry
    • Three to six years, rarely extended to nine years.

Length of Novitiate

  • Canon 648 §1. To be valid, a novitiate must include twelve months spent in the community itself of the novitiate, without prejudice to the prescript of can. 647, §3.
    • [ §3. A major superior can permit a group of novices to reside for a certain period of time in another house of the institute designated by the superior.]
    • §2. To complete the formation of novices, in addition to the period mentioned in §1, the constitutions can establish one or more periods of apostolic exercises to be spent outside the community of the novitiate.
    • §3. The novitiate is not to last longer than two years.
  • Canon 649 §1. Without prejudice to the prescripts of can. 647, §3 and can. 648, §2, an absence from the novitiate house which lasts more than three months, either continuous or interrupted, renders the novitiate invalid. An absence which lasts more than fifteen days must be made up.
    • §2. With the permission of the competent major superior, first profession can be anticipated, but not by more than fifteen days.
  • Canon 653 §1. A novice can freely leave an institute; moreover, the competent authority of the institute can dismiss a novice.
    • §2. At the end of the novitiate, if judged suitable, a novice is to be admitted to temporary profession; otherwise the novice is to be dismissed. If there is doubt about the suitability of a novice, the major superior can extend the time of probation according to the norm of proper law, but not beyond six months.

Interruptions

  • During Pre-entrance
  • During Pre-novitiate
  • During Novitiate (see above)
  • During Temporary Profession

Records

  • Principles
    • Enough documentation to support formation
    • Confidentiality - need to know.
    • Screening obtains all and only the information needed.
  • Permanent record - screening done, letters requesting and admitting to various stages.
    • Dates and places of formation, formation program, ministry sites.
    • Sacramental Certificates, CV, Transcripts (returned on departure)
    • Record of departure date, recommendation (would or would not readmit (yes, yes with res, no).

Ethics

The ethics of Vocation Ministry are guided by these foundational principles:

  1. Gospel Values, Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Great Commandment.
  2. Respect for human dignity, diversity, human rights and social justice
  3. Collegiality, Subsidiarity, Mutuality and Collaboration
  4. Personal and Professional integrity

Integrity

  • Honest assessment of candidate
  • Honest presentation of community
  • Honest assessment of viability of community and its formation program
  • Honest presentation of admission criteria
  • Appropriate selection and preparation of Vocation and Formation personnel
  • Use discretion in combining vocation, formation and leadership roles.
  • Understand unconscious bias and work to respect all candidates.
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding candidates

Boundaries

  • Understand roles and their limits
  • Don't mix counselling, spiritual direction, etc with vocation or formation direction
  • Directors/Ministers hold a power position, used it reverently
  • Consult if unsure
  • Appropriate meeting times and places
  • Prudence in self-disclosure

Minors

  • Safe environment training obtained and followed
  • Permission of parents - open communication with minors
  • Contacts include another responsible adult, presentation, emails, social media.

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/users/ahereford.org/htdocs/canonlaw/data/attic/vocation.1538103141.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/06/30 15:16 (external edit)