Throughout his life, the Bishop of Tarazona has been closely linked to the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL). On the 3rd November 1975 he started work for it, and this work came to an end with his appointment as a bishop on the 29th January 2011, after a total of 36 years dedicated to serving the Church in the offices of this body inRome.
From 1976 onwards, he was director of the Department of Formation and Promotion of the Religious Life, responsible for drawing up and publishing the documents of the Congregation. He also directed a biennial school of theology and canon law concerned with the religious life, in which he was a member of a team that included theologians specializing in this field. Since 1995 he had been head of the Congregation’s office. In connection with the work, the Congregation’s superiors entrusted him with a great number of missions in many countries throughout the world. His contribution to the organization of the various general assemblies of the Congregation, as well as the latest documents issued by it – Starting afresh from Christ (2002) and The Service of Authority and Obedience (2008) – have been worthy of note.
The CICLSAL
The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL) deals with everything to do with institutes of consecrated life (religious orders and congregations- male and female- and secular institutes), and societies of apostolic life, concerning their governance, discipline, studies, goods, rights, and privileges. It is also responsible for those living as hermits, for consecrated virgins and similar associations, as well as new ways of living the consecrated life.
Its jurisdiction includes all aspects of consecrated life: the Christian life, religious life, and clerical life; its character is personal, not having territorial limits. Nevertheless, certain specific questions raised by its members are passed on to the jurisdiction of other Congregations. It is also the dispenser of canon law for those who are subject to the Congregation.
Year of the Consecrated Life
The Year of the Consecrated Life will begin in October 2014, to coincide with the anniversary of the constitution Lumen Gentium of the Second Vatican Council. The official opening is planned to include a solemn celebration in St Peter’s Basilica, perhaps with the Holy Father presiding. This could be on the 21st November, World ‘Pro Orantibus’ Day, the theme of which will be ‘new developments in the religious life since Vatican II’. There will be various international meetings inRome: young male and female religious, novices, those in temporary and perpetual vows, members of formation teams, and also an international congress on the religious life.
To bring the year to a close, a further celebration is expected, probably on 21st November 2015, and also lead by Pope Francis. This date will be the 50th anniversary of the Decree Perfectae Caritatis. During the course of the Year of the Consecrated Life, a new Apostolic Constitution concerning the contemplative life is expected from the Holy Father, to replace the current one, Sponsa Christi, promulgated by Pius XII in 1950.