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| The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life Verbi Sponsa IntraText CT - Text |
PART IV
ASSOCIATIONS AND FEDERATIONS
27. Associations and Federations are a means of ensuring support and coordination between monasteries, in order that the latter may properly fulfil their vocation in the Church. Their principal purpose is therefore to safeguard and promote the values of the contemplative life in the monasteries which belong to them. (86)
Such bodies are to be promoted, especially where other effective forms of coordination and help are lacking, and Communities might find themselves in the position of not being able to respond to basic needs of various kinds.
The norms of this document referring to Federations are equally valid for Associations, with due regard for their juridical nature and their own Statutes.
The setting up of any form of Association, Federation or Confederation of monasteries of nuns is reserved to the Holy See, which likewise approves their Statutes, exercises the necessary vigilance and authority over them, (87) associates monasteries with them or separates monasteries from them.
The decision to belong or not to such bodies depends on each community, whose freedom must be respected.