Privacy in Religious Life

Privacy in Religious Life

Published on Jul 1, 2015

Privacy is an important notion in modern society and in modern law. It may come as a surprise to learn that the right to privacy, enshrined in canon law, in modern human rights law and in many nations' Constitutions is of relatively recent vintage in the course of human history. Democracy and national Constitutions have only been around for a [...]

PhD / JCD

I am happy to announce the completion of my doctorate in Canon Law, for which I completed a dissertation entitled The Role of Law in the Life-Cycle of a Religious Institute. Beginning with an historical case study of my own community, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the project explored the notion of the life-cycle of an organization, applying this concept to the historical case study to shed light on the dynamics of the evolution of a religious institute from foundation and growth, through change and adaptation, to decline, and even death. The study then moved to a theological analysis of the nature of a religious institute in the various stages of its life-cycle.

With this as a basis, the project critiqued the role that law plays in the course of the life-cycle of a religious institute. It reviewed particular points of canon law and civil law that come in to play in the various stages in the life-cycle of the institute, and it sought to provide guidance for those who find themselves in the states of foundation or decline in the United States in the early 21st century. Law in religious institutes establishes governance, organizes activities, guides relations within and without the institute in justice and charity, and orients and sustains the entire life of the institute, so that all together, the institute and its members may “follow Christ with greater freedom... under the action of the Holy Spirit.” (Perfectae Caritatis, 1)

I also wish to thank all the religious in the USA and beyond with whom I have worked over the past many years. As I assisted your institutes in working with a myriad of vexing legal issues, you shared your stories, your homes and your insights into the living of the religious life. This experience forms an integral part of the development of my thinking about law and religious life. I look forward to sharing the results of my research, both in writing, and in working with congregations as they face the challenges of our times.

If there is any way I can be of service to you or your community, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Community in Civil and Canon Law

Religious form community in that house, a community that is supportive of the commitment that they have made, particularly to a life of prayer, to gospel living, to ministry and to justice. Traditionally, the local house of religious has been seen as a witness to and support of the vows of poverty and chastity. Religious live simply and joyfully in mutual support. Read more....

Mystics & Prophets: NEW RELEASE: Religious Life at the Crossroads

Mystics & Prophets: NEW RELEASE: Religious Life at the Crossroads: This book explores the movements in religious life today and the currents that are emerging among the smaller cohorts of younger religious...

Fall Covenant Project Workshops

This project assists religious institutes facing an uncertain and changing future. In this difficult but grace-filled time, a community can live today's challenges with the same courage, fidelity and creativity that have marked its entire history. We assist communities in developing a timeline, in identifying the covenant(s) and/or partnership(s) that will be helpful along the way and in putting the necessary documents.

• OnGround: St. Louis, MO Sept 21, 2013

• Webcast: Tuesdays in September 2013

For more information see: www.ahereford.org/covenant

Transitioning Sponsorship

A fundamental part of the life and work of religious is carrying on the mission of Jesus in the world of today. Most institutes have a specific mission or a particular way of doing ministry that inspired their founding members, and that continues to animate generation after generation.... Read more...

Mystics & Prophets: Giving Voice - National Conference

Mystics & Prophets: Giving Voice - National Conference: Here are some notes from the national conference of younger women religious held in California in early July. We are building the bridge w...

Covenant Project Update

The Covenant Project assists religious institutes as they take responsibility for their own future in uncertain and changing times. We think of it as estate planning for religious institutes.

estate plan [ih-steyt plan] – arrangements made in anticipation of a changing future. The estate plan attempts to eliminate uncertainties over administration, maximize resources and establish a legacy. Taking responsibility for one's future is an ongoing process that begins when one has a measurable asset base. As life progresses and goals shift, the estate plan moves to be in line with new goals.

1. Full-Day On-Ground Workshops
-- September 22, 2013 - St. Louis, MO
    Register -- Printable Flyer -- More information
2. Online Workshops - Four 90 minute sessions.
-- April 2013 (Tuesdays)
-- September 2013 (Tuesdays)
(Online Sessions are at 2pm Eastern, 11am Pacific.)
--Charism & Completion - Apr 2
--Models of Completion - Apr 9
--Transitioning Sponsorship - Apr 16
--Covenants and Partnerships - Apr 23
--Follow-up conference call with each community
   Register for one of the online series.
Participants will have access to both Live and recorded sessions - in case not all members of your team can be present for the full series.

Covenant Project Workshops

Announcing:
Covenant Project Workshop
February 4, 2013, 9am-5pm
2311 S. Lindbergh, St. Louis, MO

This workshop is part of the Covenant Project which provides comprehensive service to religious institutes that wish to explore their options in an uncertain and changing future. In this difficult but grace-filled time, a community can live today's challenges with the same courage, fidelity and creativity that have marked its entire history. We assist communities exploring options, in identifying the covenant(s) and/or partnership(s) that will be helpful along the way, and in developing a timeline and putting the necessary documents in place regarding:

Sponsorship
Health-care and retirement resources
Administration, Temporal Goods and Finance
Pastoral Care of Members, Communities, Ministries
Governance and Legal Matters

More Information - Registration - Printable Flyer

Webcast on New Member Legal Issues

November 20, 2012: New Members Legal Issues - This updated webcast will discuss the various issues in screening and incorporating new members. New members are diverse in age, education, experience, culture and ethnicity. For this reason flexibility practices and policies is necessary. Participants will receive a newly revised Screening Workbook for use with new members; it is available in English and Spanish. For more information & to register...

Online Symposium on Consecrated Life

Fourth Session - October 14, 2012, 2pm ET

Karen Rose, OSB

Charism: Yesterday, Today and Forever

Charism: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Using oral histories of sisters entering a Benedictine monastery in the early 20th century and interview data from women entering in the last 30 years, the paper will compare and contrast the call to religious life in the pre- and post-Vatican II eras. Discussion will focus on the lessons to be learned as we move into the future.

Presenter:
Sr. Karen entered religious life in 2007. A British citizen, she has a BA/MA in philosophy and theology from Oxford University. She holds an MSc in social anthropology, PhD in palliative care and has researched extensively on social aspects of health care. Currently, her research interest is in applying the lens of social science to the study of history.

Responder:
Sr. Juliet Mousseau teaches theology at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, MO.

For more information or to register go to www.ahereford.org/symposium

Covenant Project Update

Registrations are still open for the Covenant Project Phase One workshops in September.

• September 8, 2012 in St. Louis MO
• September 4, 11, 18, 25 online.

Go to www.ahereford.org/covenant to register for either workshop by August 15.

Mystics & Prophets

Announcing a new collaborative blog to share reflections on emerging religious life. The project grows out of conversations among younger women religious in the US and seeks to broaden the conversation. The recent series "Reimagining Nuns" has been quite popular. Read more....

Webcast: Social Media, Religious Life and the Law

August 21, 2012 - What could these topics possibly have in common? Whether you’re well on your way with social media or just exploring this new frontier, chances are you have questions. This one hour webcast will explore this new meeting place of law, life and culture, raise legal issues and propose policy statements. Read more...

Covenant Project

This newly launched project provides comprehensive service to religious institutes that wish to explore coming to their historical completion. In this difficult but grace-filled time, a community can live today's challenges with the same courage, fidelity and creativity that have marked its entire history. We assist communities in developing a time-line, in identifying the covenant(s) and/or partnership(s) that will be helpful along the way and in putting the necessary documents in place. Click here....

Online Symposium on Consecrated Life

Third Session - July 8, 2012, 2pm ET Sisters on the Cosmological Frontier

Frontier Sisters: From the time they arrived in the New World in 1727 up to today, the profound frontier spirit of Catholic sisters have shaped the social and cultural landscape of the nation. While we know that the wild frontier of the New World has long been tamed, Catholic sisters in the 21st century have entered an equally challenging and unexplored frontier, that of the cosmological which is giving rise to a new context for the theology of religious life and its lived expression in the world. Join us as we explore religious life on the evolutionary edge!
Gail Worcelo is the co-founder of Green Mountain Monastery, along with the late Passionist priest and cultural historian Thomas Berry. Gail is a liturgical dancer, clinical psychologist and retreat leader who is passionate about her own growth in Christ consciousness and in linking with others who as Chardin said, "are striving to unite in depth to support evolution's advance."To Register....

Expanded Minsiterial Exception Case

On Jan. 11, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in a significant church employment dispute, giving religious organizations wide latitude in hiring and firing clergy and other employees who perform religious duties. In its unanimous decision, the high court explicitly recognized a legal doctrine known as the “ministerial exception.”
The case, Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, involved the dismissal of a teacher at a Lutheran school in Michigan who performed both secular and religious duties. The teacher argued that she had been fired in violation of laws protecting people with disabilities. Specifically, she claimed that the religious school had retaliated against her for asserting her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. But the high court ruled that the ministerial exception trumps anti-discrimination laws. “The interest of society in the enforcement of employment discrimination statutes is undoubtedly important,” Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. wrote for the court. “But so too is the interest of religious groups in choosing who will preach their beliefs, teach their faith, and carry out their mission.” Read more....

Social Media Resources

For a recent presentation, I prepared a series of links regarding the use of Social Media by Religious and Nonprofit organizations. Click here.... I will also be doing the presentation as a webcast next August. You can find more information or register on my website: Click here....

Webcast on Associates

November 15, 2011: Associates of Religious Institutes This one hour webcast will propose models for understanding the evolving relationship of religious institutes and societies to their associates. It will discuss the civil and canonical issues raised and explore best practices. For more information...