New Vatican document on obedience in religious life

Vatican, May. 28, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican has issued a new document underlining the importance of obedience in religious life.

Entitled "The Service of Authority and Obedience," the 50-page document from the Congregation for Religious takes the form of an Instruction. It was presented to the superiors of male and female religious orders on May 28 at an assembly held in the Salesianum in Rome.

Obedience, the Vatican document says, should be understood by religious as "a way to help the community or institute to seek and achieve the will of God." The basis for religious obedience, the Instruction notes, is found "in that search for God and for his will which is particular to believers." In offering their obedience, religious imitate "the fundamental experience of Christ Who, out of love, was obedient unto his death on the Cross...."

It's encouraging to see an Instruction on Obedience from the Holy See. Obedience to one's lawful superiors is something which has been sorely lacking for many years. We have witnessed flagrant disobedience so much over the last 40 years, it's amazing that the rebellion is not even more widespread than it is.

Once I find a link to the Instruction, we will post it here. Read the CWNews.com article here.