New Vatican document highlights role of religious brothers
December 14, 2015
The vocation of a religious brother “is in itself an exercise in the fullness of the priesthood of all the baptized,” the Vatican’s Congregation for Religious teaches in a new document released on December 14.
“Rooting his life deeply in God, the Brother consecrates all creation, recognizing the presence of God and the Spirit’s action in creation, in cultures and in daily events,” the document proclaims.
“Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church” is a 54-page statement on the particular role of male religious who are not priests: the 55,000 brothers who are members of religious orders worldwide. The document strongly affirms the role of these brothers and highlights the importance of fraternity in the life of the Church. The document observes: “Jesus Christ first of all became brother, shared our flesh and blood and was in solidarity with the sufferings of his brothers and sisters.” Today’s brothers strive to act out the fraternal spirit that Jesus encouraged.
The new document, long in preparation, does not directly address some of the more controversial issues surrounding the vocation of non-ordained male religious. For instance, the Vatican does not tackle the question of whether a lay brother should be eligible to serve as a religious superior, nor does it address the relationship between priests and lay religious. But the Congregation for Religious indicates its willingness to study these issues, while encouraging brothers in their current roles.
At a December 14 press conference introducing the new document, Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz and Archbishop José Rodriguez Carballo—the prefect and secretary, respectively, of the Congregation for Religious—announced that an international meeting on consecrated life will be held in Rome beginning January 2 and ending Freburary 2, with 6,000 male and female religious expected to participate. Pope Francis will celebrate the Mass concluding the conference in St. Peter’s basilica.
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Further information:
- Identity and mission of the religious brother in the Church (VIS)
- Vatican affirms religious brothers, says lay men and women exercise priesthood (La Stampa)
- O Brother, Who Art Thou? (Crux)
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