Statutes of the Emmanuel Community and the Fraternity of Jesus

Preamble

 I - The Emmanuel Community

The Emmanuel Community is an association of the faithful of all states of life.

The Community takes its name from Scripture : “Behold ! the Virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom they will call Emmanuel, a name which means “God with us”” (Mt 1 :23).

“Emmanuel” is “God with us” in our daily life.

It is for all to recognise Jesus as the centre of their life in order to be “in the world without being of the world.”

For some, this will mean seeking holiness in everyday life, in the family and at work ; for others, in celibacy for the Kingdom ; for others still, in a life dedicated full time to apostolic works.

The profound grace of the Community comes from Eucharistic Adoration of God : “Emmanuel”, truly present among us.

From this Adoration is born compassion for all who are dying of hunger, both materially and spiritually. From this compassion is born the thirst to evangelise throughout the entire world, especially among the poorest of the poor.

Abandon to the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, the sacraments and liturgy, deeply establish the communal[1] and apostolic life in the very life of the Church.

II - The Fraternity of Jesus[2]

a) The Fraternity of Jesus takes its name from two texts of Scripture : “With one heart all these were joined constantly in prayer, together with some women, including Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and with his brothers” (Acts 1 :14) ; “Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3 :34). To be a brother of Jesus, we must have the Heart of Jesus ; for this we need to receive Mary into our lives, and allow the Holy Spirit to renew our heart. “I will remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit in you” (Ezekiel 36 :26-27).

b) Among the Catholic members of the Emmanuel Community, some may receive a more radical call. At the heart of the Community, the Fraternity of Jesus proposes a gift of self by consecration[3], a more specific commitment of fidelity to the Church and availability for mission in the context of the Community. This consecration, of a baptismal type, is made according to the spirit and manner described below (paragraphs d,e,f,g).

c) Certain persons, not members of the Emmanuel Community, but Catholics who are members of communities with a similar spirit, can be admitted to the Fraternity of Jesus. These persons will participate in the graces and spirit of the Fraternity without participating in or being subject to its government.

d) Consecration in the Fraternity of Jesus is a voluntary renewal of one’s baptismal consecration (Lumen Gentium n.10) as a total gift of self with a view to a commitment of availability to the Lord, His Church and evangelisation. This consecration expresses the willingness to let oneself be consumed by the love of God. It is lived out firstly in deepening the graces of the Emmanuel Community : in adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist from whom is born compassion for all who are dying of hunger, materially and spiritually, and the thirst to evangelise the entire world, especially the poorest of the poor.

This consecration is made to Jesus present in the Eucharist through the grace of the Heart of Jesus, according to the tradition of Paray-le-Monial.

e) Consecration in the Fraternity of Jesus implies a deeper solidarity with the Community and a very special love of and fidelity to the Church.

f) Consecration is accompanied by a commitment of availability. This availability is first of all a decision to offer oneself radically to the will of God through responsibilities, services or missions requested by the Moderator of the Emmanuel Community for the service of brothers and sisters and of the Church, especially with regard to mission.

g) In this way, consecrated members of the Fraternity give of themselves in order to welcome the fire of Christ’s love and to radiate this fire, firstly in the Emmanuel Community, and with the Community, wherever they may be sent.

 Organisation of the Emmanuel Community

 
I. Nature and Object

1 - The Community is an assembly of the faithful (Christi fideles) of all states of life who desire to commit themselves in a life which is both contemplative and apostolic at the heart of the Catholic Church.

All its members, laity and clerics, recognise each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, each with the same call to holiness and to the proclamation of the Gospel. They desire to fulfil this call each according to his state of life and ministry. They commit themselves to form one Community, and within the context of this community, undertake to help one another - materially, fraternally and spiritually - to advance in the life of holiness and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

2 - According to the spirit described in the Preamble, the graces of Adoration, Compassion and Evangelisation to which the Community aspires, are drawn from the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation ; in personal and community prayer ; in opening one’s heart to the Holy Spirit ; and in trust in the Virgin Mary, Mother of Emmanuel.

3 - The Community, through fraternal life and activities undertaken together, seeks the sanctification of its members and the participation of all in the “general apostolic goal of the Church.”[4]

By participating in the mission of the Church, the Community shares in the evangelisation of believers and non-believers, of peoples and cultures, in the service of the sick and the poor, in the promotion of what is truly human and spiritual, familial and social. All these activities, whether cultural, charitable or social, are carried out explicitly in the Name of Jesus Christ and are accompanied by the proclamation of the Good News. They are enlightened by the teaching of the Church in trusting submission to the magisterium and adherence to the faith of the Catholic Church.

4 - In the Church, the Community is a private association of the faithful with legal personality.

The Community is governed by its own leaders in the autonomy recognised by the general law of the Church, notably articles 215, 298 - 311 and 321 - 329 of the Code of Canon Law, and in accordance with the norms set out in the present statutes.

The life and apostolate of the Community are subject to supervision by the Holy See and, at a diocesan level, by the Ordinary of its place of activities concerning the activities which are exercised there.

 
II - Members, Probation, Commitment

5 - Persons able to become members of the Community are those who are baptised and confirmed in the Catholic Church, who have reached legal age according to canon law [5] and the law of their country, who have completed a minimum probationary period of two years, adhering to the spirit of the Community, and have the express approval of the Moderator and the Council, or their local representatives especially authorised for this purpose.

None of the commitments, consecrations or availabilities for mission which are spoken of in these statutes, either in the Emmanuel Community or the Fraternity of Jesus, are under the penalty of sin.

6 - The Community embraces members from all states of life (cf. articles 298 and 307 of the Code of Canon Law ) :

• laity, married or single

• men and women committed in celibacy for the Kingdom
• permanent deacons
• priests, deacons preparing for priesthood, seminarians
• men and women religious

7 - Diocesan priests can commit themselves to the Emmanuel Community and the Fraternity of Jesus with the written consent of their Bishop.

8 - Religious and persons committed to consecrated life according to articles 573 - 746 of the Code of Canon Law can commit themselves to the Emmanuel Community as associates (or possibly as full members) in so far as the obligations of their institute allow, and with the written consent of their superiors.

9 - Baptised non-Catholics cannot become fully committed members of the Emmanuel Community.
However, they can participate as “associate brothers and sisters” in the life and graces of the Community to the extent that :

• they recognise in the Community a call of God for themselves,
• they declare themselves ready to respect the Catholic Church in her Mystery, her identity, teaching and sacramental practice,
• they are able to participate significantly in the graces of the Community, in its life and demands, in a manner compatible with the respect and loyalty due to the church to which they belong.

In this spirit, they carry out a time of probation and they are approved as brother and sister associates, following a procedure analogous to that set out in article 5.

They make, after agreement with the Moderator and the Council, a special commitment which specifies their participation in the life of the Community and the respect of ties with their own church. They do not participate in the government of the Community and they do not have responsibilities in formation.

10 - The Community consists of different members - those on probation, committed members, associate members, associate brothers and sisters with a special status, consecrated members in the Fraternity of Jesus, as will be explained later.

Persons adhering to the goals and aspirations of the Community who, for significant reasons independant of their own will, are not able to follow all its obligations, can nevertheless be admitted by the International Council for a commitment as a Friend of the Emmanuel Community.

PROBATION

11 - Commitment is preceded by a minimum period of probation of two years which comprises stages determined by custom, or by internal regulations, in both cases approved and reviewable by the Council.

These stages of probation are made with the agreement of the Moderator or his regional representative and the advice of the Council.

12 - Persons preparing for baptism can be admitted to the stage of probation but not to commitment.

COMMITMENT

13 - Commitment in the Emmanuel Community is made for one year. It is renewable each year.

Commitment and renewal are made before the Blessed Sacrament exposed, in the presence of the Moderator or his representative, and members of the Council, if possible.

It includes the following formula : “ ... I commit myself to the Emmanuel Community...”.

 
III - Life, Rights and Obligations for Members

14 - The members of the Emmanuel Community commit themselves to a fraternal, contemplative and apostolic life in the world, and in everyday life.

15 - Members of the Emmanuel Community commit themselves, as far as possible, to :

• a long period of daily adoration (adoration of the Blessed Sacrament when possible),

• daily participation in the Eucharist. For priests, daily celebration of the Eucharist,
• a daily prayer of praise, celebrated joyously and, when possible, in community
• regular reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

16 - Members of the Emmanuel Community commit themselves to a community life which fosters a spirit of adoration, compassion and evangelisation.

This community life is adapted to normal daily life in the modern world, and to the personal circumstances in which each member finds himself or herself.

There are maisonnees (households), residential or otherwise, according to each situation. In the maisonnees, emphasis is given to fraternal sharing, sanctification and apostolic life. The frequency and manner of these meetings are fixed by the Council, and, in principle, each member participates in the major monthly community meetings (for example, Saturday afternoon and Sunday).

17 - In order to live the life and spirit of the Community, priests and deacons are also members of a maisonnee, either between themselves, or with persons from other states of life, if possible, with brothers and sisters from the Fraternity of Jesus.

It will be the same for those who live a celibate life for the Kingdom.

18 - It is never permitted for those of different sex, living a single life, to share a common residence. Separate apartments, even if situated in the same building, constitute, in this sense, a separate residence.

19 - Each member of the Community adheres to the orientations proposed by the Moderator and the Council. Following their guidance, a member participates in the apostolic activities and services proposed by the Community according to his or her capabilities.

20 - Each member benefits from the prayer and counsel of the brothers and sisters. According to the traditional law of the Church, each person may freely seek a confessor or director of conscience. This does not exempt him in any way from the discipline of the Community, which requires that each member, for his life in the Community, is assisted by a companion, who is, in principle, distinct from the leader of the maisonnee or of a particular service. The companion is chosen or accepted with the approval of the leaders of the Community. Each member must be accompanied by a member of the same sex.

21 - According to his or her means and family responsibilities, each person provides a just contribution to the Community, determined by each person in agreement with the Community.

22 - The Community provides its members with a way of life and community formation through its teaching. This formation is biblical, theological and spiritual, conforming to the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, and giving the general teaching of the Church. It also seeks to deepen the mystical life of contemplation and action which conforms to the charism proper to Emmanuel.

23 - The Community is entirely missionary. Certain members, at their own request or in any case, with their free agreement, could be sent to foreign dioceses or countries. Should the case arise, a special commitment of availability in the Fraternity of Jesus will precede or accompany being sent on mission.

 
IV - Arrangements for Clerics

24 - Priests and deacons who are members of the Emmanuel Community are incardinated by the Bishops and Ordinaries who expressly accept the presence of the Community in their diocese by applying the present statutes.

25 - A priest of the Community, who is a member of the International Council, is responsible for specific questions concerning ordained ministry. He works with this council to ensure that the clerics of the Community live their community commitment in all its fullness and maintain a high spiritual standard.

26 - The formation of members of the Emmanuel Community who are candidates for the priesthood conforms with canons 232 to 264 and is under the ultimate authority of the incardinating Bishop or Ordinary. The conditions and place of formation are determined in agreement with the Council of the Community.

This formation integrates, from the outset, the particular demands associated with commitment to the Emmanuel Community : the features of community life, its particular spirituality and its apostolic and missionary life in association with the laity. These matters constitute the proper charism of the Emmanuel Community and are part of its responsibility.

Particular arrangements specify the manner of application of these principles.

The formation of deacons follows the same principles.

27 - As well as the formation, the Community is also associated with discernment. The priest of the Community responsible for specific matters concerning ordained ministry maintains regular contact with the director of the seminary or house of study.

In the context of inquiries required by canon 1051, the priest of the Community responsible for ordained ministry presents to the Bishop a motivational assessment and report on the candidate for ordination including, particularly, accounts of his life in the Community. This priest will be present at the ordination to witness to the bishop, in the name of the Community, to the worthiness of the candidate.

28 - 1°) - Clerics, priests or deacons, committed to the Emmanuel Community, have the same rights and obligations as other members : fraternal, contemplative and apostolic life with Adoration and celebration of the Eucharist, morning praise in common when possible, companionship, participation in a maisonnee and in Community meetings, payment of a just contribution, adherence to the orientations suggested by the Moderator and the Council and participation in the apostolic activities and services of the Community.

2°) - Clerics are incardinated in a diocese which respects their membership in the Community. In incardinating by ordination a priest or deacon of the Emmanuel Community, the bishop accepts his community commitment according to the present statutes. The same situation applies when he accepts the commitment to the Community of a priest already incardinated (cf. article 7).

3°) - The assignment of clerics is decided by the Bishop after consulting the Moderator of the Emmanuel Community. The proper charism of the Community and the concrete possibilities of Community life and apostolates are to be taken into account.

4°) - In agreement between the Bishop and the Moderator, a certain portion of the ministry and time of each priest and deacon is devoted to the works of the Community and becomes the responsibility of the Moderator.

This time is determined in the following manner :

• the priest can be assigned alternately for a given period for the diocese and, at other times, for works proper to the Community ;
• or, the priest is assigned to diocesan work on a part-time basis, remaining available for the remainder of his time for works proper to the Community.

As a rule, a proportion of one third of time for the Community and two-thirds for the diocese will be sought.

The Moderator must report regularly to the incardinating Bishop concerning the priests who are assigned for a time as missionaries of Emmanuel in its own works.

5°) - For permanent deacons, their mission depends very much on their family and professional situations and it involves them as much as possible with the apostolic commitments of the Community.

29 - Some members, men and women of the Emmanuel Community and the Fraternity of Jesus, may receive the grace to give themselves completely in celibacy for the Kingdom, thus making themselves more completely available for Adoration, compassion and evangelisation, according to the charism proper to the Emmanuel Community.

This commitment to celibacy implies the spirit of the evangelical counsels, a spirit of poverty and of availability. It is made in the context of the Emmanuel Community and the Fraternity of Jesus.

30 - Commitment to celibacy for the Kingdom is taken, after the necessary discernment, for a period of three years which is renewable. The commitment can be made for life. The brothers and sisters of the Emmanuel Community and the Fraternity of Jesus are the first witnesses of this commitment. On their part, they undertake to honour and to support the person in this commitment.

31 - A rule of life approved and revised by the Council, on the proposition of one or another of those responsible for questions pertaining specifically to the celibate life for the Kingdom, sets down, for the rest, other specific rules for this state of life, on the one hand for the women, and on the other, for the men.

32 - The Moderator, with the approval of the Council, designates one woman and one man responsible for questions pertaining specifically to the celibate life for the Kingdom. They are chosen from among those consecrated in celibacy. The duration of this office is three years which are renewable. The appointment can, however, be brought to an end in the same manner. (cf. article 42)

33 - The Emmanuel Community and the Fraternity of Jesus have a common Moderator, an International Council of the Emmanuel Community, and a Council of the Fraternity of Jesus. Certain questions of great importance to the Community fall within the competence of the Council of the Fraternity (cf. article 47).

The Emmanuel Community is governed by a Moderator, assisted by an International Council. An advisory committee is appointed by these bodies.

The International Council is elected by a college of prayer and election ; the Moderator by the International Council.

34 - Provinces of the Community are defined by the Council. They can comprise an entire country, or even go beyond the borders of a country, according to the number of persons, the centre of activities and the degree of development of the Community.

35 - A province of the Community is governed by a provincial co-ordinator nominated by the Moderator with the agreement of the International Council. The usual duration of the appointment is three years, which are renewable. It can be shortened.

The provincial co-ordinator works with a board and an apostolic committee. He takes advice regularly from the senior members of the Community, that is, from those committed members who are more mature in the experience and the charism of the Community. He has, with the board, the responsibility of leading the community life of the province. He has the responsibility of seeing that each person receives the necessary care. He puts in place formation, as developed by the International Council. He co-ordinates apostolic activities.

All of this is linked with and under the control of the International Moderator to whom the provincial co-ordinator reports regularly. The provincial co-ordinator is also in contact with the Bishops and Ordinaries of the province.

The International Government, Moderator and Councils who are responsible for the well-being of the Community and its members, and fundamentally for the charism of Emmanuel, have the capacity to intervene in the provincial government when it concerns the interests of the members, apostolic questions, ecclesial relations and the application of the charism proper to the Community and, more generally, the dynamism of the province in solidarity with the whole Community.

The Advisory Committee

36 - The list of incumbent members of the Advisory Committee is settled each year by the Council between the first and thirtieth of October. The number is a maximum of two hundred persons, and includes the Moderator and the Councils of the Community and of the Fraternity. It will include those responsible for the larger apostolic works established or promoted by the Community, the provincial co-ordinators, the senior members of the Community who are considered of use in deepening the charism of the Community, and others designated to ensure an equitable and qualitative representation of all states of life or of other realities existing in the Community.

The Advisory Committee, in principle, meets once a year as convened by the Moderator, who gives the agenda, with the advice of the Council.

The Moderator, according to the same procedure, can also convene meetings with a part of the Advisory Committee, for example, a meeting of certain countries or provinces, or for a particular state of life.

The Advisory Committee is invited by the Moderator to reflect with the International Council on certain questions concerning the life and future of the Community. To this end, it gives and receives information and studies questions asked of it. It has neither power to deliberate nor authority.

The College of Prayer and Election

37 - The College of Prayer and Election elects members of the Council by discernment and prayer. The Moderator convenes the College at an appropriate time, and in a place fixed by him, with the advice of the Council.

The college comprises, in addition to the Moderator and the Councils of the Community and the Fraternity, the Advisory Committee (incumbent members) and an equivalent number of designated electors. The latter are elected from the province by all its committed members. The number of these electors to be designated by each province is fixed by the Council on a pro-rata basis of all committed members.

The elections to the college and to the Council are made in prayer to the Holy Spirit, in liberty and responsibility, seeking out the will of God. Criteria are : the general good of the Community ; putting into practice its charism for the service of the Church ; and in profound union with the Church, in the service of evangelisation.

The International Council

38 - The International Council comprises at least twelve members. It can decide to increase its number to seventeen members at most. Members are elected for three years from among those committed to the Emmanuel Community and consecrated in the Fraternity of Jesus. Their term is renewable for two consecutive periods. They are free to accept the mandate. In accepting the mandate, they make the commitment of availability if they have not done so already. Every three years, one third of the members of the Council are replaced. The Moderator has a different status.

39 - The Council determines, with the Moderator, the general orientations of the life, apostolate and formation of the Community in accordance with the charism proper to the Community.

It has the authority to define and to modify provinces.

The Moderator

40 - The Moderator assures the proper working of the Community. He encourages the life of holiness, and co-ordinates community life and evangelisation. He represents the Community before religious and civil authorities. He presides at meetings of the International Council. With the International Council, he supervises the provinces.

He is elected by the International Council by a two thirds majority for a period of three years, which is renewable for two consecutive terms. He is chosen from among the members or former members of the Council of the Community.

41 - With the agreement of the International Council, the Moderator designates a Priest to be responsible for specific matters concerning the ordained ministry in the Community. The ordinary duration of the appointment of this Priest is three years, which are renewable. The appointment can, however, be brought to an end at any time in the same manner. He is a member of the Council as of right. If he is not an elected member, he sits as a supernumerary with a deliberative voice but, in this case, only for the duration of his responsibilities.

In each diocese where the Community proposes seminarians for ordination, the Moderator presents, for the assent of the Bishop or Ordinary, a priest who, in that diocese and before the Bishop or Ordinary, is the representative responsible for the formation of seminarians of the Community.

42 - The Moderator, with the agreement of the International Council, also nominates a woman, and, if appropriate, a man, responsible in the Community for specific matters pertaining to the celibate life for the Kingdom.

If the person designated for this office is not a member of the Council, the Moderator and the Council can, at any time, decide to add him or her to the Council, as an extra member with full rights. But in this case, participation in the Council ceases immediately upon the termination of office.

43 - In matters which concern management, the Moderator is assisted by a bursar. This person is not necessarily a member of the Council.

44 - The Moderator exercises his authority either in the ordinary way directly, or with the advice of the Council, or with the approval of the Council, according to each matter.

45 - Approval of the Council is required to enable the Moderator to :

• accept commitments to celibacy and commitments to the Community ;
  
• present requests to Bishops or Ordinaries to establish the Community in their diocese, or to agree with them on conventions concerning apostolic works. These conventions should be in writing and indicate the length of time for which they have been concluded ;
• present to the Bishops concerned candidates for ordination
• designate, with the agreement of the Bishops concerned, institutes for formation or houses of ecclesiastical study available to members of the Community who are studying for the priesthood ;
• generally conclude agreements with anyone committing the Community in long term conventions ;
• appoint, confirm and renew the office of provincial co-ordinators and the leaders of major services, be they apostolic, spiritual or material ;
• permanently delegate a part of his powers as Moderator ;
• nominate the bursar ;
• make important decisions concerning the patrimony of the Community : disposition of property and special matters of administration.

46 - Consultation of the Council is required for the following :

• to propose to the Bishop the nomination of clerics ;
• to accept requests for probation or recommitment to the Community ;

• to confirm the boards and councils established by regional co-ordinators ;

• to establish and to revise the list of members of the Advisory Committee.

47 - Formation, companionship, spiritual growth, community solidarity, fidelity to the Church, to the Community and to its charism are placed under the authority of the Moderator of the Emmanuel Community, assisted by the Council of the Fraternity of Jesus.

 
VII - Arrangements Concerning the Fraternity of Jesus

48 - Specific matters concerning the Fraternity of Jesus are equally under the authority of the Moderator of the Emmanuel Community, assisted by the Council of the Fraternity of Jesus. The advice of this Council is required for the process of probation in the Fraternity and its agreement is required for consecrations and commitments to availability.

As in the Community, the stages of progress are fixed by custom, or if such is required, by internal regulations, either course being approved and revisable by the Council of the Fraternity. The spirit and context of consecration and commitment of availability in the Fraternity are set out in Preamble II.

49 - The Council of the Fraternity comprises fifteen members with replacement of one-third of its members every five years. They are nominated by the Moderator, from among the former or current members of the Council of the Emmanuel Community or from among the consecrated members having an acknowledged experience.

50 - The Moderator of the Emmanuel Community is also the Moderator of the Fraternity of Jesus. He is able to convene the two Councils together when necessary.

He must call a meeting of the Council of the Fraternity of Jesus at least three times per year.

 Leaving the Community and the Fraternity

 51 - In the case of incompatibility or grave difficulty with the commitments of the Emmanuel Community, the Moderator, with the agreement of the Council, can invite a member to leave the Community or proceed to discharge him or her, after having provided an opportunity for explanations for this course. A similar procedure is available for the Fraternity of Jesus.

The non-renewal of annual commitment in the Emmanuel Community implies withdrawal from the Community as well as from the Fraternity of Jesus if one was a member.

According to the spirit of canon 702, and by analogy, members of the Community who leave legitimately, or who are discharged legitimately, cannot claim any compensation for work which was done in the Community. The Community, however, will show equity and evangelical charity towards the member separated from it.

 
 Ecclesiastical Assistant

52 - The Pontifical Council for the Laity, given a list of three names proposed by the Moderator, nominates for three years, renewable in the same conditions, an Ecclesiastical Assistant, for both the Emmanuel Community and the Fraternity of Jesus.

53 - The Ecclesiastical Assistant assists the Community and the Fraternity especially in fostering the sacramental life, the sanctification of members, the theological, biblical and spiritual formation and the spirit of evangelisation, according to the charism proper to the Community and in faithfulness to the Church. He does not participate in the government of the Community.

Patrimony and Business Management of the Community and the Fraternity

 
54 - The Emmanuel Community and the Fraternity of Jesus, private associations of the faithful with legal personality, administer their common goods according to the objectives of these statutes, in conformity with canon 325.

55 - Each person is responsible for his or her property and management of his or her personal goods.

56 - Each person commits himself or herself, according to his or her possibilities and charges, and by a voluntary contribution.

1°) - to participate in common expenses when the case arises (e.g. community residence) ;

 2°) - to support the life of the Community and its activities and, if possible, to support missionary, apostolic and charitable enterprises of the Community.

57 - The service given to the Community by its clerical members is the object of remuneration by the Community which is fixed by the convention with the diocese.

For the laity, the service given to the diocese is the object of remuneration fixed by the convention with the diocese.

58 - In the case of dissolution, the balance of Community and Fraternity resources will be allocated by the Council to a canonical association (congregation, order or institute) which is devoted to the Eucharist and with analogous apostolic goals, that is to say, a body which is essentially missionary and faithful to the Roman Catholic Church.

59 - In relation to any surplus, one should refer to canons 325 and 326.

 
Modification of the Statutes

60 - The Statutes can be translated, with the French version remaining the norm.

 
The Statutes cannot be modified without a four-fifths majority of the combined Councils of the Community and of the Fraternity, and with the approval of the Holy See.