Dear Sister, I am Sr. Carmen belonging to a Religious Congregation of Pontifical right. I have completed a postgraduate course in Counseling. At present, I am teaching in a primary school of our Congregation. I am also invited by an NGO to work as a part time counselor for their firm. I have agreed to undertake it, but now my Superior has mentioned that I am prohibited from taking up this service. Can I continue to render my service in the NGO?
Canon 671 of the Code of Canon Law for the Latin Rite (CIC) speaks that “Religious are not to undertake tasks and offices outside their own institute without the permission of the lawful Superior”. There is no similar canon in CCEO (Code of Canon Law for the Eastern Rites). This canon embodies two fundamental principles of consecrated life: the vow of obedience and the incorporation into the religious institute through the profession of faith. Incorporation through the profession of vows entitle religious to dedicate their physical and moral faculties to the institute; they become members of the singular body, becoming part of and belonging to it. As a consequence, they must devote all their energy, action, and skills, both intellectual and manual, to and for the benefit of the institute.
Sr Navya Thattil OSF
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