VATICAN CITY, JUN 12, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the entire text of the Norms which constitute the second part of the "Instruction on the Sending Abroad and Sojourn of Diocesan Priests From Mission Territories," published today by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The Instruction, dated April 25, 2001, was published in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
NORMS
First of all, as a general rule, what is sanctioned by C.I.C., can. 283 1 is reiterated: "Clerics, even if they do not have a residential office, are not to be absent from their Diocese for a considerable time, to be determined by particular law, without at least the presumed permission of their Ordinary".
The Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples requires that all Bishops and diocesan Priests strictly observe the above canon, in addition to those situations indicated in article 3 of this Instruction.
A. Norms for the sending abroad of ordained priests for further studies
art. 1 - The diocesan Bishop of Mission Countries, after having ascertained the actual diocesan needs and sought the counsel of his collaborators, should choose the most able priest, after having asked his consent, to pursue further studies. He is to designate the field of study in which the priest must specialize, the Faculty in which he must enrol and the date of his definitive return.
art. 2 - Agreement is then sought in writing with the diocesan Bishop and with the proposed Institute where he has decided to send the priest, including the question of his financial support.
art. 3 - Some arrangement is then made with this Bishop concerning the pastoral work which shall be undertaken by the priest only, however, for the duration of his course and in such a fashion that it is not too burdensome so as to prevent him from completing his studies in the allotted time span, nor that he be required to assume an office or position as laid down by law.
art. 4 - The diocesan Bishop who receives a priest student from mission territories into his own Diocese should make sure that a precise agreement has been reached, as specified above, with the Bishop who is sending the priest for further studies.
art. 5 - The Bishop who is accepting priest students into his Diocese is obliged to provide spiritual assistance for them by inserting them into the diocesan pastoral plan, ensuring that they participate in the life of the Presbyterate and accompanying them with fatherly care.
art. 6 - In the eventuality of grave problems, this same Ordinary, after having discussed them with the Bishop of the said priest, must take adequate measures that may even result in the termination of permission to remain in that Diocese.
art. 7 - Any priest who, after having been warned as prescribed by law, obstinately refuses, to abide by his Bishop's decision and return to his Diocese, will be punished with an appropriate penalty as decreed by law. Before proceeding, however, the Ordinary ought to inform the overseas Bishop of his intention.
B. Norms for staying abroad to provide pastoral assistance to migrants.
art. 8 - Apart from the norms already noted, either of universal or particular law, and before appointing a priest of a mission territory as a chaplain to migrants, the two Bishops involved should come to some understanding, confirmed in a written agreement, concerning the type and duration of pastoral work required. Such a priest should be introduced into the pastoral activities of the Diocese and participate in the life of the Presbyterate.
art. 9 - In the event of numerous emigrant groups, some agreement can also be made with the respective Episcopal Conferences.
C. Norms for refugee priests who have fled from their country for grave reasons.
art. 10 - Any Bishop who welcomes a refugee priest from a mission territory into his Diocese, that is, someone who has had to leave his home for grave reasons, must consult with the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples prior to giving him a pastoral office.
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