Diocesan Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life: Formation of Members for Holy Orders

The author examines the canonical norms for the formation and ordination of priests with respect to candidates from diocesan institutes and societies of apostolic life. Noting that the principal responsibility is always that of a candidate’s “proper” bishop (c. 1015), major superiors also always have a significant role to play. For pontifical right institutes and societies the major superior can grant dimissorials for the diaconate and the presbyterate for his members (c. 1019), but for diocesan right institutes and societies it is ultimately for the bishop to ordain or grant dimissorials. Bishops and major superiors should collaborate in all aspects of formation and evaluation of such candidates. The author reviews the relevant canonical norms and offers suggestions about how major superiors and bishops might better collaborate in this ecclesial task.