Part 9: Government of the Institute

 

Part 9: Government of the Institute

Introduction
265 The Institute of the Incarnate Word recognizes in the Supreme Pontiff the primary and supreme authority and professes not only obedience to him, but also fidelity, filial submission, adherence and disposition for the service of the universal Church.

266 The Institute of the Incarnate Word is under the vigilance of the competent ecclesiastical authority, whose duty is to safeguard the integrity of the faith and customs of the Institute and watches over it to prevent abuses of ecclesiastical discipline. Therefore, the ecclesiastical authority has the obligation and right to visit the communities of the Institute according to the universal law and these Statutes. The Institute is also under the regimen of this authority according to the universal law.

267 The Superiors, docile to the will of God, will consider the exercise of their authority as a true service to the Church and will always remember that the primary obligation of the Superior is to command well.

Female Branch
268 In addition to its male branch, the Institute of the Incarnate Word has a female branch: the “Institute Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara”. Both Institutes are indissolubly united. Their union is spiritual, though legally independent. Their spiritual union is given essentially by having the same Founder and twin Constitutions; by the Spiritual Father – elected by the women religious; and by the help of other Priests of the Institute of the Incarnate Word: spiritual advisers, community advisers, spiritual directors, professors, etc.

Contemplative Branch
269 The male Contemplative Branch of the Institute of the Incarnate Word is also part of our Religious Family. Their union will be spiritual and juridical; nevertheless each monastery will function as a sui iuris house with internal autonomy. They will participate in the spirit and in the proper and specific end of the Institute of the Incarnate Word.

270 The Contemplative Branch of the Institute of the Incarnate Word recognizes in the Superior General the first and supreme authority of the Institute on whom they directly depend, and profess him not only obedience, but also fidelity, filial submission, adhesion and availability.

271 Every monastery should have an Abbot elected by its own monks in the General Elective Chapter. The way of election will be established in the Directory of Contemplative Life.

272 The Superior General with the deliberative vote of his council will confirm the election of the Abbot. For a serious reason, the Superior General with the deliberative vote of his council could relieve the Abbot of his duties. In this case, the Vicar of the monastery will take over temporarily, and he will be the one to convoke the General Chapter of the monastery for the election of the new Abbot.

273 The Abbot and his Vicar are Major Superiors.[288]

Third Order
274 In addition, the Institute of the Incarnate Word has a Third Order. Third Order “members live in the world but share in the spirit of … [the] institute, under… [its] overall direction…”[289]

275 The Third Order is structured in three levels, according to the degree of commitment the members freely choose:

1. Lay associates who aspire to evangelical perfection according to the spirit of the Institute, participating in its mission,[290] obligating themselves freely through private vows or some other sacred bond.

2. Lay associations of the faithful: groups or movements, each with its own structure that want to participate in the spirit and purpose of the Institute.

3. All faithful lay people related in different ways to the Institute, who want to share in its spirit: friends, acquaintances, benefactors, family members, etc.

276 The Third Order is united to and dependant on our religious Family in both aspects of groups and individuals.

277 The Superior General with the deliberative vote of his Council chooses the liaison between the Institute and the Third Order: the Major Adviser. Each provincial superior is the liaison in his province, giving spiritual assistance to the tertiaries, according to the three levels of the Third Order.

Central Coordinating Board
278 The Superior General of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, or his delegate, will preside over the Central Coordinating Board, made up of:

1. the Superior Generals of both Institutes,

2. the Superiors of each Institute, Movement and Association of the Third Order.

This board will coordinate the different apostolates, the foundations, the promotion of the spirit of the Institutes, etc. It will not bear any competence in the government of any branch.

CHAPTER 1: MAJOR SUPERIORS
279 The Institute of the Incarnate Word has the General Chapter as its supreme governmental body. The General Chapter will meet at the times and places established below. The Superior General assisted by his Council permanently governs the Institute of the Incarnate Word.

280 The General Chapter as well as the Superior General together with his Council “ad referendum” of the General Chapter can establish Provinces, according to the following rules:

1. It is required that there exist a minimum of three houses canonically erected.

2. There must be a sufficient number of members.

3. The Province must be self-sufficient, have its own vocations, with people able to undertake the responsibilities of government and formation, with financial resources to ensure a smooth development of fraternal life and apostolic works without turning to the help of the Central Government on a regular basis.

4. The homogeneity of the territory and the socio-cultural reality of it, if possible, will be taken into account, as well as the ease of communications and administrative conveniences.

The houses of the Institutes will be grouped in Provinces and Vice-provinces; the Provinces governed by a Provincial Superior, assisted by four Provincial Councilors. The Provincial Superior is chosen by the Superior General with the deliberative vote of his council, by absolute majority; the first two councilors[291] are chosen by the Provincial Superior; the other two are chosen by the religious with perpetual vows assigned to that province (three substitute councilors will also be chosen). Being present the majority of the electors, the election will fall on those who have the absolute majority of votes. After two inconclusive ballots they will elect between the two candidates who have received the most votes; if there are more than two, between the two longest professed members; if they possess equal length of years professed, the two older ones will qualify. After the third ballots, if the tie persists, the longer professed member will be elected; if both candidates have been professed for an equal number of years, the elder of the two will be elected.[292]

281 When a homogeneous group of houses do not meet the minimum conditions to constitute a Province, then a Vice-Province or a District – dependent on a Province – can be established, according to the degree of development it may have reached in order to be constituted as a province. The Vice-Province will be governed by a Vice-Provincial Superior appointed by the Superior General with the consent of his Council; the District will be governed by a District Superior – delegate of the Provincial and named by him – with the faculties deemed necessary.

282 Keeping in mind the “ease of communications and the administrative conveniences,” it within the competence of the General Chapter to decide the transfer of the General House. For this, the approval of the Bishop of the diocese to which it is transferred is required.

283 The nomination of Superiors by the competent Superior should be preceded by proper consultation,[293] according to the Directory of Government.

284 The Local Superiors of the Formation Houses (Juniorates, Novitiates and Minor Seminaries) and the Presidents of Universities will be elected by the Superior General with the consent of his Council with absolute majority, and with the opinion of the Provincial Superior.

285 The first of the Councilors named by the Provincial Superior will perform the function of Provincial Vicar[294] and the second will undertake the position of Secretary.

286 The Provincial Superior will appoint the Provincial Treasurer from between the two remaining Councilors.

287 When, due to resignation, transfer, or some other cause, one of those elected by the General Chapter ceases being a member of the General Council, he will be replaced by the first substitute, and so on.

288 In each local community of the Institute of the Incarnate Word there will be a priest who will perform the office of Local Superior, appointed by the Provincial Superior with the deliberative vote of his Council. The Local Superior will be assisted, unless it is not possible due to the number of religious, by a Council with four members. The Local Superior directly appoints the first two members, who will perform respectively the offices of Local Vicar and Local Secretary. The priests who make up the above-mentioned community will elect the remaining two members by simple majority; one of them will be elected by the Local Superior for the office of Local Treasurer.

CHAPTER 2: GENERAL CHAPTERS
Article 1: Convocation of the Chapters
289 General Chapters are ordinary and extraordinary. Their nature could be: elective, deliberative or consultative. The elective ordinary General Chapter will meet regularly every six years or in the case of death, removal,[295] or resignation of the Superior General. The extraordinary General Chapter will meet when a grave matter of major importance for the Institute of the Incarnate Word needs to be studied. The place in which the General Chapter will gather is the General House or another place that will facilitate the confluence of the religious who are to attend.

290 The General Chapter will be convoked and presided over by the Superior General or his substitute. Also attending, with voice and deliberative vote, will be the following:

1. By reason of office:

- The former Superior Generals of the Institute of the Incarnate Word.

- The General Councilors.

- The Provincial Superiors.

- The Rectors of the Juniorates.

- The Rectors of Clerical Colleges duly established.

2. Delegates by Election:

- Two priests of perpetual vows from each Province and vice-province associated, elected by the perpetual professed members by absolute majority.

- Two Abbots for six Monasteries, elected according to the dictates of the Directory of Contemplative Life.

The capacity and conditions of the voters and the votes will be determined according to the universal law.[296]

291 The number of delegates by election must be higher than that of the participants of the General Chapter by reason of their office.

Article 2: Celebration of the Chapter
292 The sessions can not proceed validly without the presence of the:

- President

- General Secretary

- Ballot counters

- Chapter Rules

293 The President of the Chapter is the Supreme Moderator – the Superior General – or whoever takes his place.

294 The Chapter Fathers will secretly vote for a Chapter Secretary and two auxiliaries, and when the nature of the Chapter is elective or deliberative they will elect the two scrutinizers as well.

295 A profession of faith according to can. 833 will be made at the opening of the General Chapter. Then, the General Secretary will immediately record in the minutes those who are attending the General Chapter and who has voice and vote. In the same way, he will record who has been elected Chapter Secretary, auxiliaries and ballot counters. He will also record the remaining minutes.

296 At a suitable time the Chapter will proceed to the election of the Superior General which will be realized by free, secret, certain, and absolute votes, by two-thirds majority of votes of the Chapter Fathers present. After two inefficient scrutinies where the two-thirds majority has not been reached, there will be a third vote between the two candidates who had obtained the higher number of votes, or if there are more, the election will be between the two longest professed or if they are equal in length of profession time, the older will be voted; after the third scrutiny, if a tie persists, the longest professed will be elected and if they are equal, the oldest will be elected.[297] The elected Superior will be notified immediately. From that moment the elected will have a period of eight working days to accept or reject the position and name the General Secretary and Treasurer, if he accepts. Those designated by the Superior General will have, on their part, an equal period from the notification to accept or reject the appointment.

297 Having finished the election of the Superior General, the Chapter will proceed to the election by absolute majority of two members who will compose the General Council, and of the first, second and third substitute Councilors, also by absolute majority. In the case that the nominations realized by the Superior General fall on some of those elected by the Chapter to be Councilors or Substitutes, the nominations realized by the Superior General will have priority, and he himself will complete the missing positions. The members of the General Council, elected by the Chapter, will remain in their functions the same period of time as the Superior General, being able nevertheless to be re-elected.[298]

298 Once the elections have been verified, the Chapter will conduct the necessary sessions in which the new Superior General will be informed of the state of the Institute of the Incarnate Word. The other religious in attendance may give an opinion about things they consider worthy of consideration for the well-being of the Provinces and houses of the Institute of the Incarnate Word.

299 The principal subjects to be treated within the General Chapter are:

1. The defense of the Patrimony of the Institute of the Incarnate Word; to accomplish adjustments and renewal according to it; election of the Superior General, and promulgation of the rules binding on all Institute members.[299]

2. The reform of some point of the Constitutions, with consent of two-thirds of the members of the General Chapter, which then must be approved by the Bishop of the headquarters of the Institute.[300]

3. The revision and accommodation of the general Directories,[301] Regulations and other rules.

4. The division of the Institute into Provinces;[302] the suppression of Provinces;[303] the establishment of Vice-Provinces, determining to which Province they remain associated.

5. Definition of the way in which the evangelical counsels will be observed.[304]

6. Other deducible topics of the aforementioned.

7. The treatment of any other major subjects, requests and suggestions which may freely be contributed.[305]

CHAPTER 3: CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
Article 1: Superior General
300 The Institute is permanently governed by a Superior General assisted by his Council, integrated by five Councilors. Of the six members of the General Government, the Superior General and at least two Councilors will be elected by the Chapter. The Secretary and the Treasurer are named by the Superior.[306] In the same way, the Chapter elects three substitute Councilors. The Superior General should be confirmed by the Bishop. When, due to resignation, transfer, or some other cause, one of those elected by the General Chapter ceases being a member of the General Council, he will be replaced by the first substitute, and so on. For the resignation of a Councilor elected by the General Chapter, the Diocesan Bishop of where the Headquarters of the Institute are located, while the Institute is of Diocesan Right, is competent. The Holy See is competent once it becomes an Institute of Pontifical Right.

301 The Superior General holds the highest representation of the Institute and exercises the functions of first authority. He attends to the care and government of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, and of all its members according to the present Constitutions and Canon Law.

The jurisdiction of his authority is over the entire Institute of the Incarnate Word and over each of its members, both in the apostolic and the contemplative houses. To be elected and to perform this office he has to possess ability, discretion, prudence, maturity and the other virtues required for the sound performance of his duty.

To be elected the Superior General must be a priest with at least fifteen years since his perpetual profession[307] and at least 40 years old. He is elected for a period of six years with a possibility of only one reelection.

302 The electors must be aware not to elect anyone who has desired or sought the office of Superior General. The same applies for the choosing of other Superiors.

303 The Superior General has to avoid preferential treatment with his subjects. He is to have an equal attitude toward all, avoiding preference of persons. Preference of persons is a sin opposed to distributive justice – which deals with giving positions, offices and responsibilities for the common good, in proportion to the dignity or capacity of each person. In justice, for the common good, the person who is suitable person for each assignment is to be chosen. It is therefore necessary take into consideration the person’s qualifications of suitability. When this is not done, we commit the vice of preference of persons. The person chosen in that case is appointed because of who he is and not because of his aptitudes, therefore preventing that one who, in justice, should fill that office. This kind of injustice is expressly prohibited in Sacred Scripture.[308] The Superior should be a father in the image of the Heavenly Father, Who does not show partiality (Acts 10:34).

304 The Superior General is expected to be faithful to the Constitutions. He should not exempt anyone from fulfilling them because of freedom of interpretation, due to any minor reason.

305 He is never to reprimand in anger. He is to be gentle with all and strict with himself. He is never to speak in praise of himself except with the hope of bringing about some good, and then only with humility and acknowledgment of God’s gifts.

306 All functions and obligations flowing from his office as Superior General are to be performed with an outstanding spirit of service. His authority is for service and his service is authoritative. He is to govern as one who serves, because he is obliged by reason of his office to serve by leading: the greatest among you must become like the least, and the leader, like one who serves (Lk 22:26).

307 Faculties and duties of the Superior General are:

1. To govern his subjects as sons of God; he is to extend to them the same paternal charity that God has for them. Also, he is to have that fraternal charity desired by God in loving the other Superiors and subjects.

2. To respect each human person because of his dignity as a person, and even more because of the added dignity flowing from baptism and consecration; moreover, because of the sum of inborn and acquired abilities which make up the uniqueness of each subject.

3. To promote voluntary obedience, to foster willingness in obedience and submissive freedom. Whoever has freely professed obedience must voluntarily practice the specific acts of that counsel. The perfect attainment of this ideal will be the supernatural and human sign of the right exercise of authority.

4. To listen willingly. To listen is neither to assent, nor to hear with deaf ears; neither the attention of a disciple, nor the instruction of a teacher. Listening does not require giving an answer – it may not exist. Nor may it be prudent or obligatory to give any answer. Reaching an agreement is not necessary. In many instances this is non-existing or impossible. Nor should a decision be made to accommodate the subject.

5. To foster his initiatives for the good of the Institute and the Church, because, by his office, he is obliged to do this. He is to energetically resist any passivity, waiting for others to suggest the initiatives.

6. To decide and to order what should be done, taking into account the faculty given by the universal law.[309]

308 The specific and proper functions of the Superior General, besides the ones already established by can. 619 of CIC, are the following:

1. To work for the conservation and growth of the Institute of the Incarnate Word.

2. To promote the knowledge and observance among his subjects of the decrees of the Holy See that are related to the religious.

3. To oversee the observance of the Constitutions and the fidelity to the spirit of the Institute of the Incarnate Word.

4. To promote, as much as possible, the spiritual and temporal good of all the members of the Institute, and to ensure that everyone fulfills his respective duties and obligations.

5. To preside over the sessions of the General Council and present to it all the matters to be treated. Besides the cases treated in paragraph 326 of these Constitutions, and without its formalities, the Superior General can seek advice from the Council any time he deems it necessary.

6. To notify the Provincial Superiors, and when he deems it convenient directly to the Local Superiors the resolutions of the Council that they must know.

7. To appoint the Provincial and Local Superiors under his competence, as well as the authorities of the corresponding Vice-Provinces, with the consent of his Council. Such persons should be notified of the office for which they have been appointed, having a period of eight days to accept or reject the office.

8. Within the limits of his competence, the Superior General can allow exemptions (relaxations of merely ecclesiastic laws in a particular case[310]) everywhere, with regards to his subjects and to himself;[311] according to the conditions established by the universal law.[312]

9. To visit all of the Provinces and houses of the Institute for inspection and general direction.

10. To establish or abolish Minor Seminaries, Novitiates and Juniorates, as well as other houses of formation, with the consent of his Council.

11. To oversee all aspects of the spiritual and intellectual formation of the religious, determining study plans, appointing the Local Superiors of the houses of formation, with the consent of his Council.

12. To convoke ordinary and extraordinary General Chapters, according to these Constitutions.

13. To approve with the consent of his Council the regulations promulgated in each house of formation,.

14. To grant the license to publish writings related to religious matters or morals.[313]

15. To grant and name with the consent of his Council the priest elected by the Female Branch to perform the function of Spiritual Father.

309 The Superior General could be removed from his office for the reasons stated by the universal law.[314]

Article 2: Members of the General Council
a. Vicar General
310 He is the second in authority in the Institute, to whom all the religious are obliged to obey after the Superior General. He will exercise his authority according to these Constitutions, only when he replaces the Superior General or carries out the functions delegated by him.

311 The appointments[315] which are the competence of the Superior General cannot be made by the Vicar General.

312 In case of vacancy or absence the Vicar General can be replaced by whomever is designated by the Superior General.

313 The priest who will perform this office should have the necessary aptitudes, must be perpetually professed at least 10 years and be 35 years old.[316]

314 The Vicar General can be removed from his office for the same reasons as the Superior General. The same applies for all other Superiors.[317]

315 In addition to his obligations as Vicar General, he, as first General Councilor, will substitute for the Superior General in his absence, illness or other impediments. Likewise, in case of death, resignation or removal of the Superior General, the Vicar will undertake temporarily the government of the Institute. However, the Vicar General may neither proceed to a new election, nor transfer nor appoint any Provincial or Local Superior except in the case of a necessity, for four months from date of vacancy. After those four months, the Vicar General cannot defer the convocation for the election of the Superior General for longer than three more months.

b. General Secretary
316 This office will be performed by a priest, at least 35 years old, with 10 years of perpetual profession and with the qualities required for this office.

317 It is incumbent on the General Secretary:

1. To record the minutes of the sessions of the Council and those of the General Chapters.

2. To send out all communications of the Superior General as such.

3. To take care of and to update all documentation of the Institute concerning persons, Houses, Provinces, dealings with civil and religious organizations, contracts, statistics, etc.

c. General Treasurer
318 The priest to whom the office of General Treasurer is given must be at 35 years old, with 10 years of perpetual vows and be qualified for this job.

319 The General Treasurer is responsible for the administration of the Institute under the authority of the Superior General and the overseeing of his Council. He will take particular care of all documentation concerning goods and their custody.

320 The General Treasurer will register all income and expenses of funds and values. He will inform the Council of the state of the above-mentioned every three months and whenever required by it.[318]

d. Other General Councilors
321 Two more priests, besides the ones already mentioned, are to be part of the General Council. They will be given the name of General Councilors.

322 They must be 35 years old, with 10 years of perpetual vows, have the prudence and all the other virtues necessary for this office.

323 To replace of the General Councilors appointed by the Superior General, he himself will make the new appointments. The same applies to the replacement of those Provincial or Local Councilors appointed by the Provincial or Local Superior respectively.

CHAPTER 4: THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Article 1: Faculties
Acting as a college
324 The Superior General is the first one among equals with the same right to vote. The decision is collegiate[319] and is obliged to be performed. The College will be convoked according to can. 166 and needs a quorum of four. It is responsible for the process and Decree of dismissal by absolute majority of the present members.[320]

Acting with deliberative vote
325 The Council acts according to can. 127, § 1, but not as a College, rather as a group of persons from whom consent is required. The decisions will be made by an absolute majority of those present. The final action will be personal and optional of the Superior, who could act according to the mentioned decision or abstain from acting. The Council, that will be convoked according to the way established in can. 166 of CIC, will decide about:

- admission into priesthood,

- establishment[321] of Houses,

- suppression of Houses,[322]

- transaction of goods,[323]

- establishment or suppression of Novitiates, Juniorates, Minor Seminaries, and other houses of formation,[324]

- exception to make the Novitiate in a different house,[325]

- permission to live outside the community,[326]

- transfer from the Institute to another institute,[327]

- exclaustration of perpetually professed priests,[328]

- indult to temporarily professed religious,[329]

- re-admission of brothers,[330]

- appointment made by the Superior General of Provincial Superiors, Superiors of Formation Houses, Rectors of Universities and the Major Advisor to the Lay Branches; confirmation of the Spiritual Father elected by the Female Branch, and of Abbots,

- approval of the Directories of the Institute, ad referendum of the General Chapter; and when necessary, modification to those already approved, also ad referendum of the General Chapter.

Acting with consultative vote
326 The Council acts as a group of persons; everyone’s advise or opinion is necessary for the validity of the act. The final action will be personal and optional of the Superior, who can act even against what is unanimously advised, if he has enough reason for it. It will be convoked according to the Institute’s own law[331] to deal with the following matters:

- revision of ceterae normae,[332]

- delay of temporary vows,.[333]

- norms concerning the temporal goods of those making profession,[334]

- report on the religious who transfers from the Institute,[335]

- exclusion from the next profession,[336]

- approval of the Regulations.

Article 2: Meetings of the General Council
327 There will be two kinds of General Council meetings: ordinary and extraordinary, both presided by the Superior General and in his absence by the Vicar General or whoever takes his place.

328 Ordinary meetings will be held regularly each month, and the extraordinary meetings, when needed. In both, matters concerning the Institute will be treated and resolved. Such matters will be presented by the one who presides. For the validity of the meetings, a quorum of three is needed, except for what is established in paragraph 324 of these Constitutions.

329 Members of the Council have the right to present proposals concerning the following topics: formation, apostolate, discipline, spiritual life and other suggestions, all of which should be stated in the minutes.

330 Members of the Council are to present their opinions with fidelity and sincerity, giving their deliberative vote in the matters of greater importance.

331 Besides those cases when the Council acts collegially[337] (paragraph 0), the Superior is outside and above his Council, which means that he is not to vote when consultation or consent are required as a group of persons,[338] or as individual persons.[339]

332 Within the first three months of the year and in an ordinary meeting, the accounts of income and expenses of the general administration of the Institute will be submitted for examination and approval.

333 The Provinces and Houses of the Institute are to present and submit to the General Council the account of incomes and expenses of each year, within the first three months of the following year; which does not prevent the Superior General or the Provincial Superior from examining the accounts of the provincial or local administrations with the occasion of the ordinary or extraordinary canonical visit.

334 The Councilors are rigorously warned to keep secret the matters treated during the meetings. Only the Superior General, when it is convenient, can communicate the decisions with due discretion.

CHAPTER 5: THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

Article 1: Provinces
335 To make the government of the Institute easier and more effective, there are permanently established territorial divisions called Provinces, according to the diverse conditions of persons, places and time.

336 Under the direction of the Superior General and his Council, each Province is governed by a Provincial Superior, assisted by four provincial Councilors.

Article 2: Provincial Superior
337 The priest appointed Provincial Superior, must have the necessary physical and moral aptitudes to perform the demands of this office, have at least 10 years of perpetual vows and be at least 35 years old.

338 The Provincial Superior is appointed for three years, and may be re-appointed for another three years in the same Province, and ordinarily will not exceed this.

339 The Provincial Superior will exercise his authority over all the houses in his Province, but not over the Monasteries located in the same territory because those constitute sui iuris houses with governmental autonomy and in direct dependence on the Superior General and his Council.

340 The faculties and obligations of the Provincial Superior are:

1. To exercise the authority in the Province under the dependence on the Superior General whose directives he will faithfully carry out and to whom he will appropriately inform regarding the life of the Province.

2. To appoint the first two members of the Provincial Council.[340]

3. To appoint the Local Superiors with the deliberative vote of his Council.

4. To preside at the sessions of the Provincial Council and to propose the matters to be treated therein. He can consult his Council whenever he deems it necessary.

5. To communicate to the Local Superiors the resolutions and decrees he receives from the General and Provincial Council.

6. To resolve the consultations proposed by the Superiors of houses or by the religious, and also, according to the importance of the matters, to forward the issues proper to the Superior General and his Council.

7. To transmit to the Superior General all the news and information so that the appointment of Superiors of houses of formation and other offices can we done with proper knowledge.

8. To visit the houses of his Province once a year and as many times as special circumstances make it necessary.

9. To admit aspirants to the Novitiate with the consultative vote of his Council.

10. To admit to temporary profession with the deliberative vote of the Provincial Council by absolute majority.

341 For the Superior General to be well informed of the life and progress of the Institute, besides the ordinary reports, at the end of each year the Provincial Superiors will send an exact and detailed account of the state of discipline and finances of the Province and its government, together with the annual personal letter.

342 The Superior General with the deliberative vote of his Council by absolute majority will be able to grant to the Provincial Superiors wider faculties within the norms of the law, principally to those in places farther away. But those faculties – ordinary as well as extraordinary – granted to the Provincial Superiors, cannot limit in any way the authority and rights that belong to the Superior General and his Council according to the Constitutions.

Article 3: Members of the Provincial Council
a. Provincial Vicar
343 The first Provincial Councilor will substitute as Provincial Superior, when circumstances demand it. When the first Provincial Councilor is absent, his place will be taken by the following Councilor according to strict order.

344 The priest that is to be the first Provincial Councilor, besides possessing the aptitudes that the office requires, is to have at least 10 years of perpetual vows and be 35 years of age.

b. Provincial Secretary
345 The second Councilor directly appointed by the Provincial Superior will be Secretary and provincial filing clerk, to whose care will be commended the provincial documents and the conservation of the archive of the Provincial Government.

c. Provincial Treasurer
346 The Provincial Superior will choose the Provincial Treasurer from between the two remaining Councilors. The priest so appointed must posses the necessary ability.

347 The administration and custody of the goods of the Province belongs to the Provincial Treasurer under the authority of his Superiors. He will see to the accuracy of all the documents and books of incomes and expenses. He will present his reports to to the Provincial Superior and his Council for their knowledge, revision and approval every three months, and any time it is required by the competent authority.

d. Other Provincial Councilors
348 The other Provincial Councilors, apart from the referred aptitudes for the office, must be of perpetual vows and be at least 30 years old.

349 The Provincial Councilor remains in office for three years. Upon completion, he may be reelected and ordinarily not for a third term.

Article 4: Provincial Councils
350 The faculties and obligations of the Provincial Council are:

1. To handle cases within their competence, by means of consultative or deliberative vote, according to the rules of the universal law and the Institute’s own right.

2. To examine and approve the accounts of the Province.

3. To give the deliberative vote for the admission of aspirants to the Novitiate, for temporary and perpetual profession, by absolute majority of the quorum.

351 The Provincial Council has to be convoked once a month and can convene for extraordinary sessions, whenever the Provincial Superior, or his substitute, deems it appropriate. For validity, a session requires a quorum of two members in addition to the Provincial Superior.

CHAPTER 6: CANONICAL VISITS

352 The Superior General must make an official visit to every Province and house of the Institute at least once during his mandate, and whenever necessity demands it; and unofficially when he deems it appropriate.

353 In the event that he cannot perform this grave duty, he himself will appoint a religious as Visitator.

354 The Provincial Superior in his capacity as Provincial Superior will thrice visit each houses of his Province thrice during his term of office, and as many times as special circumstances require.

CHAPTER 7: THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

355 In each house there must be a sufficient number of religious to ensure community life and the practice the evangelical counsels.[341] For this reason, except as stated in paragraph 184 1 of these Constitutions, those assigned must be at least three religious.

Article 1: Local Superior
356 The Superior is the head of the family in each house; all the religious in that community must obey his orders with docility, exactness and religious submission.

357 The naming of a local superior must be preceded by an appropriate consultation.[342] For a religious to be appointed Local Superior, in addition to his talents for governing, religiosity, spirit of observance and other requirements for the office, he must be 30 years old with 5 years of perpetual profession.[343]

358 His term of office will be three years and ordinarily will not be re-appointed for a second consecutive term in the same house.

359 The Local Superior has the following faculties and tasks:

1. The governing of the community keeping in mind the purpose of religious life and the particular goals of the Institute.

2. To oversee the observance of the Constitutions; to see to it that the spirit of the Institute is maintained; and to dispense from some point of discipline in particular cases for a reasonable cause and in accordance with the norms established by the Major Superiors of the Institute.

3. To promote among the religious of the community the knowledge and observance of the decrees of the Holy See related to religious or that may be for their interest.

4. To name the second Councilor, when this is possible, and consulting his immediate Major Superior; and those responsible for the different offices. The persons who have been named will be notified, and they will have eight working days to accept or decline the office.

5. To regulate what he deems conducive to the order and service of the household, and whatever leads to the greater good of the family entrusted to his care and concern.

6. To preside over all the acts of the house, except in the case in which a Major Superior attends to it.

7. To resolve grave and urgent cases when impossible to appeal to the General or Provincial Superior, giving an account later to the competent Major Superior of his resolution, indicating the motives for it.

8. To meet with his Councilors once a month – and whenever necessary – for their input, so he may resolve what he deems more appropriate in the Lord. For validity, the meeting must be attended by at least two members of the Local Council.

9. To write the Local Rule with his Council which will be submitted for approval of the Provincial Superior.

360 In cases requiring consultation and whenever else he deems it appropriate, he will contact the Provincial Superior. He will also send – at least every three months – an accurate report of the state of the house. He will also write – at least once a year – to the Superior General, and as many times as he deems it necessary.

Article 2: Local Councilors
361 The first Local Councilor is also the Vicar and substitutes for the Superior during his absence, illness or other impediments, outside of which he does not have any authority except what is delegated by the Superior to him. In the Vicar’s absence, the Councilor next in line will substitute for the Local Superior, according to strict order.

362 The second Councilor, directly appointed by the Local Superior, will be the filing clerk responsible for the handling and saving of the house files.

363 In each house of the Institute will be a priest with the office of Local Treasurer; he will administer the goods of the house under the direction of the Local Superior; in fulfilling his duties he will oversee the funds and values belonging to the community. The Local Treasurer administers the goods of the community and is responsible for making the ordinary purchases, according to the norms established by the Local Superior; he will carefully do the bookkeeping; he will give a report every month to the Council of the house, and every three months to the Provincial Superior, and as requested.

364 The priests appointed for the Local Council,[344] besides the necessary aptitudes, must be in perpetual vows, and the first of them must be at least 30 years old. They remain in office for a three-year term, renewable.

365 The Local Councilors are obliged to complete secrecy about the matters with which they were consulted. However, they must inform with honesty if required by the General or Provincial Superior.

[288] Cf. CIC, can. 620.

[289] Cf. CIC, can. 303.

[290] Cf. CIC, can. 725.

[291] Cf. Footnote 306.

[292] Cf. CIC, can. 119, § 1.

[293] Cf. CIC, can. 625 , § 3.

[294] Cf. Footnote 306.

[295] Cf. CIC, can. 194.

[296] Cf. CIC, cc. 168-172.

[297] Cf. CIC., can. 119, § 1.

[298] Cf. CIC, can. 177.

[299] Cf. CIC, can. 631, § 1.

[300] Cf. CIC, can. 595, 1.

[301] Cf. CIC, can. 587, § 4.

[302] Cf. CIC, can. 581.

[303] Cf. CIC, can. 585.

[304] Cf. CIC, can. 598, § 1.

[305] Cf. CIC, can. 631, § 1-3.

[306] The way of electing the Vicar General is suspended for the time being. The issue must be studied in a future General Chapter. The procedure may be examined and presented for its approval either before or during the next Chapter. If this would happen during the Chapter, the competent authority to approve the Constitutions in that moment will have to express his consent.

[307] Cf. CIC, can. 623.

[308] Cf. Dt 1:17; 16:19; Jas 2:9.

[309] Cf. CIC, can. 137 and concordant paragraphs.

[310] Cf. CIC, can. 85.

[311] Cf. CIC, cc. 91 and 136.

[312] Cf. CIC, can. 90 and concordant paragraphs.

[313] Cf. CIC, can. 832.

[314] Cf. CIC, can. 194.

[315] Cf. Constitutions, 308 7.

[316] Cf. CIC, can. 623.

[317] Cf. CIC, can. 194.

[318] Cf. CIC, can. 636.

[319] Cf. CIC, can. 127, § 1.

[320] Cf. CIC, can. 699, § 1.

[321] Cf. CIC, cc. 609, § 1; 610 and 616, § 1.

[322] Cf. CIC, cc. 585 and 616, § 1.

[323] Cf. CIC, can. 638, § 3.

[324] Cf. CIC, can. 647, § 1.

[325] Cf. CIC, can. 647, § 2.

[326] Cf. CIC, can. 665, § 1; See paragraphs 144 - 147 .

[327] Cf. CIC, can. 684.

[328] Cf. CIC, can. 686, §§ 1 and 3.

[329] Cf. CIC, can. 688, § 2.

[330] Cf. CIC, can. 690, § 1.

[331] Cf. CIC, can. 127, § 1.

[332] Cf. CIC, can. 587, § 4.

[333] Cf. CIC, can. 657, § 2.

[334] Cf. CIC, can. 668, § 2.

[335] Cf. CIC, can. 684, §§ 2 and 3.

[336] Cf. CIC, can. 689, § 1.

[337] Cf. Constitutions, 324 .

[338] Cf. CIC, can. 127, § 1.

[339] Cf. CIC, can. 127, § 2.

[340] The way of designation of the Vicar must be studied, the same as with the case of the designation of the Vicar General.

[341] Cf. CIC, can. 610.

[342] Cf. CIC, can. 625, § 3.

[343] Cf. CIC, can. 625, § 3.

[344] Cf. CIC, can. 627, § 1.



Note: This English translation of the Constitutions of Institute of the Incarnate Word and the Directory of Spirituality is a draft version and is subject to further revision and improvement.