There are many Dioceses and Religious Congregations who have the material resources, like property and finance, but lack the required personnel to carry on the activities of the registered society. The lack of personnel can be due to a drop in numbers or lack of competence in particular activities. There are others who may have the required personnel but not the material resources, namely, property and finance.
In the interest of carrying on the objectives of the registered society, two societies with similar objectives may enter into collaboration with each other. One party provides the property and finance, while the other supplies the required personnel. But it is very common to see problems between the two concerned parties. Very often, the problems arise because there is no written contract. Based on a friendly mutual understanding at the time of making the agreement, the head of one society—a Diocese or a Religious Congregation—invites the head of the other society for an apostolic collaboration or help, and gives the required land. In some cases, buildings too are given, either existing ones or a new one built for the purpose. The other party is then asked to start or carry on the activities.
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Fr Alex Gnanapragasam SJ
