The decree of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life published today regulates the duration and number of terms of office of the governing positions, as well as the representativeness of the governing bodies, "in order to promote a healthy rotation and avoid appropriations".
This decree, which will apply to international associations of the faithful recognized or erected by the Apostolic See and subject to the direct supervision of the Dicastery, arises from the observation of "very diversified practices in the management of leadership responsibilities," as noted in the accompanying explanatory note, and this "experience has prompted a study and discernment aimed at the good conduct of governance within these aggregations."
The Decree regulates two main areas: the regulation of the mandates of the governing bodies at the international level and the representativeness of the latter. As the note points out, "the General Decree promulgated today - which has the specific approval of the Supreme Pontiff - regulates these mandates as to their duration and number and, for associations, the participation of members in the constitution of the central governing bodies".
Key points of the Decree
with reference to international associations of the faithful recognized or erected by the Apostolic See and subject to the direct supervision of the Dicastery, the following.
The terms of office in the central governing body at the international level may have a maximum duration of five years each.
The same person may hold office in the central governing body at the international level for a maximum period of ten consecutive years.
Art. 2 § 2. - After the maximum limit of ten years, re-election is only possible after a vacancy of one term of office.
Art. 2 § 3. - The provision in Art. 2.2 does not apply to a person who has been elected moderator, who may exercise this function regardless of the number of years he/she has held another office in the central governing body at the international level.
Art. 2 § 4 - A person who has served as moderator for a maximum of ten years shall not be eligible to hold this office again; however, he/she may hold other offices in the central governing body at the international level only after a vacancy of two terms in these offices.
Art. 3. - All members pleno iure shall have an active voice, directly or indirectly, in the constitution of the bodies that elect the central governing body at the international level.
Art. 4 § 1. - Associations in which, at the time of the entry into force of this Decree, the positions in the central governing body at the international level are vested in members who have exceeded the limits set forth in Articles 1 and 2, shall provide for new elections within a maximum period of twenty-four months from the entry into force of this Decree.
Art. 4 § 2. - Associations in which, at the time of the entry into force of this Decree, the positions in the central governing body at the international level are held by members who exceed, during the current term of office, the limits set forth in Articles 1 and 2, shall provide for new elections within a maximum period of twenty-four months from the attainment of the maximum limit imposed by this Decree.
Art. 5. - The founders may be dispensed from the norms of articles 1, 2 and 4 by the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life.
Art. 6. - The present dispositions do not refer to the offices of government which are connected with the application of the norms proper to clerical associations, institutes of consecrated life or societies of apostolic life.
Art. 7. - The present Decree applies, with the exception of the norm of Article 3, also to other entities not recognized or erected as international associations of the faithful, which have been granted juridical personality and which are subject to the direct supervision of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life.
Art. 8. - From the entry into force of this Decree and until the approval of possible modifications of the statutes by the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, what is established abrogates any norm contrary to it that may be foreseen in the statutes of the associations.
Article 9 - This Decree, promulgated by publication in the Official Journal of the L'Osservatore RomanoThe Decree shall enter into force three months after the day of its publication. The Decree will also be published in the official commentary of the Acta Apostolicae Sedis.
The Supreme Pontiff Francis, in the Audience granted on June 2, 2021 to the undersigned, Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, has specifically approved the present General Decree, which has the force of law, together with the Explanatory Note that accompanies it.
Given in Rome, at the offices of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, on June 3, 2021, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
Card. Kevin Farrell
Prefect
P. Alexandre Awi Mello, I.Sch.
Secretary
