The State of Consecrated Life: Vita et Sanctitas Ecclesiae

The state of those who are consecrated to God by profession of the evangelical counsels “does not belong to the hierarchical structure of the Church; it nevertheless belongs to its life and holiness.” This statement about how consecrated life does and does not fit into the ecclesial body appears in canon 207 §2. The latter part of the statement is repeated in canon 574 §1: “The state of those who profess the evangelical counsels in institutes of this type (i.e., institutes of consecrated life) belongs to the life and holiness of the Church.” This article explores two questions: what is the source of this statement, and what does it mean. What does it mean, canonically, that consecrated life is not part of the hierarchical structure of the Church? What does it mean, canonically, that consecrated life belongs to the life and holiness of the Church?