Bishops-Religious relations in the Church. Reality and possibilities 30 years after the «Mutuae Relationes»

Abstract

The Bishops-Religious relations have known periods of smooth collaboration but also of stress and misunderstanding. The 30th anniversary of the enactment of Mutuae Relationes Instructi on is time to go back over this subtle and complex topic. After a short presentation of the most characteristic notes of the document, the author analyzes some of the most relevant contents from a double point of view: what has been reached and what is still on a difficult way in order to reach a better relationship. Achievements and challenges are always in the same areas: pastoral, formation and government, and the goal is to look for a better coordination in them. The Bishops-Religious relations become closer and more complex in three concrete situations: opening and closing of houses or apostolic positions; the entrusting of a responsibility or a position to a member of an institute or community; and the abuses in the way a religious exercises the mission. According to the sensitivity, knowledge and dialogue these situations may become chances of fruitful encounter or appalling strain.