21. The founding and running of these institutes depend on the Conferences of Major Superiors of men or of women, or on a group of Major Superiors. This group bears ultimate responsibility for the institutes. It is necessary that every center have its own Statutes, in which are defined its purpose, those for whom it is intended, the services it offers, and the body which bears immediate responsibility for it. Confirmation of erection and approval of the Statutes is reserved to the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic Life.

To assure its adequate functioning, the center must be run by a team with a person designated as responsible for the team. In carrying out responsibilities, this person is to assure stability and formational competence. Every three years, he or she shall send a report of activities to this Congregation.

For the organization of courses, the prescriptions of canons 659, 660, and 661 along with Potissimum institutioni, n. 61, apply.(⁸⁰)

Institutes of religious sciences, intended for the formation of those who are not candidates for priesthood, are encouraged to establish a relationship with a Faculty of Theology. In this way, a better doctrinal formation can be promoted, so that the participants will eventually be able to earn appropriate academic degrees or diplomas.(⁸¹)

Possible civil recognition of these institutes is of great benefit, but ought not prejudice or alter the formative goals proper to them.

In this area, Catholic universities as well as other organisms at the level of local Churches can offer helpful initiatives of study to be carried out in collaboration with the Bishops and Major Superiors.(⁸²)