In theCatholic Church, anassociation of the Christian faithful or simplyassociation of the faithful (Latin:consociationes christifidelium[1]), sometimes called apublic association of the faithful,[2] is a group of baptized persons, clerics orlaity or both together, who, according to the1983 Code of Canon Law, jointly foster a more perfect life or promote public worship or Christian teaching, or who devote themselves to other works of the apostolate.[3]
A 20th-century resurgence of interest in lay societies culminated in theSecond Vatican Council, but lay ecclesial societies have long existed in forms such assodalities (defined in the1917 Code of Canon Law as associations of the faithful constituted as an organic body),[4]confraternities (similarly defined as sodalities established for the promotion of public worship),[5]medieval communes, andguilds.
Under the1917 Code of Canon Law, groups of laity that gathered with a common purpose and apostolate were calledpiae uniones ("pious unions" or "pious associations").[6] With the replacement of the former code by the1983 Code of Canon Law, they were referred to as "associations of the faithful", either "private" or "public".[3]
A Pastoral Note of theItalian Episcopal Conference issued on 29 April 1993 defined three of the terms:[7]
However, it added that these terms are often applied quite loosely.[8] For example, theCommunity of Sant'Egidio, which calls itself acommunity, is also described as amovement.[9]
Associations of the faithful are distinguished frominstitutes of consecrated life andsocieties of apostolic life.[3] A group of people who intend to become an institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life will normally come together at first as an association of the faithful, while awaiting the decision of the bishop, after consulting theHoly See, to establish them in the desired form.[10]
Private associations are not supervised by the local bishop, but bishops are instructed to be watchful that their energies are not dissipated.[11]
Public associations are supervised and authorized by the local bishop. The diocesan bishop can create associations of this kind after a consultation of the Holy See, without the need of the latter's permission.[12]
Associations that are approved on an international level are approved by theDicastery for the Laity, Family and Life (previously by thePontifical Council for the Laity) and listed in theDirectory of International Associations of the Faithful. Associations that exist on a national level are approved by a country'sepiscopal conference, while those at a diocesan level are approved by the local bishop.[citation needed]
Since 2022, "The diocesan bishop, before erecting - by decree - a public association of the faithful with a view to becoming anInstitute of Consecrated Life or aSociety of Apostolic Life of diocesan right, must obtain the written permission of theDicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life."[13]
TheFranciscan Brothers of Peace, a canonically recognized Public Association of the Faithful was founded in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1982. In keeping with their charism, the Brothers advocate for the unborn, the handicapped, the elderly and the poor. They operate a food pantry and working with the Center For Victims of Torture provide temporary shelter for international victims of torture who have arrived in the Twin Cities area.[14]
The Amigonian Cooperators was instituted by the Capuchin Tertiaries (Amigonian Friars), and is involved in the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law. Their work among the laity following the charism of the Capuchin Bishop Luis Amigó y Ferrer (1854–1934) dates back to 1937. On 8 December 1992, the Pontifical Council for the Laity recognized theCooperadores Amigonianos as an international association of the faithful of pontifical right.[15]
TheFranciscan Brothers of the Eucharist, founded in 2002 as a companion community to theFranciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, is a Public Association of the Faithful approved by the Archdiocese of Hartford.[16] As their particular and primarycharism is upholding the dignity of the human person, their ministry has included publicanti-abortion prayer vigils, counseling the mentally ill, caring for the elderly and coordinating outdoor adventure programs for youth.[17]
TheSaint Francis Third Order Confraternity of Penitents is a private association of the faithful recognized pursuant toCIC/83 canon 299 §3 by the Bishop of theDiocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend on March 25, 2019.[18]
This organization, part of theVincentian Family offer material help to the poor or needy, the Society also has thrift stores or "op shops" which sell donated goods at a low price and raise money for the poor.[19]
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