THE FOUNDATION OF NEW RELIGIOUS INSTITUTES: A BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE GUIDELINES AND DIRECTIVES OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF NIGERIA

Abstract

There are very many pious associations in Nigeria seeking approval as religious institutes. At the same time, there are lots of serious abuses by founders and foundress owing to their ignorance of what Religious Life entails and/or lack of guidance from competent ecclesiastical authorities. Some young men and women, ignorant of the status of such associations, join them. Finally, some of the associations disband or never get to be approved and their lives are ruined. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria produced the “Guidelines and Directives on Founding Religious Institutes and Lay Associations in Nigeria†(September, 2014). The Guidelines intend to aid bishops and founders through the different stages from foundation to approval as a Religious Institute. The Guidelines recognized that charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit given to founders for service in the Church. Such charism addresses the needs of the church. A charism is usually unique and original. The Apostolic See does not allow same charism replicated in the same diocese or episcopal conference. Every charism must have its focus on Christ. Spirituality springs from an institute’s charism. The spirituality the founder gives to the association is to follow the form of Religious Life he intends to found, e.g., Religious or Secular Institute or Society of Apostolic Life. Apostolate and charism mutually enrich each other. Charism is the identity of an Institute. Apostolate is the outward expression of an Institute’s charism. The bishop is the competent authority that discerns and approves these associations as Religious Institutes. He should make sure that founders meticulously follow the laid down rules and conditions before he can give approval after consulting the Apostolic See.