Restoring and Nurturing Right Relationships is a publication which has been launched by Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) as a national resource to support Religious Institutes in their continual development of initial and ongoing formation practices and processes.
Building on the first edition published in 2016, this second edition recognises that the Australian Church has entered a new stage in the formation for religious life, following the realities made transparent by the Royal Commission, but also encouraged by new emphases of Pope Francis.
“Francis has urged us to ensure that the formative process be communitarian in its essence, not a solo journey but one undertaken in dynamic relationship with the People of God,” said CRA President Peter Jones OSA.
The Principal Author of Restoring and Nurturing Right Relationships, David Leary OFM said, “The Final Report of the Royal Commission made clear the brokenness of our humanity and of the ecclesial community. Restoring and Nurturing Right Relationships seeks to create a renewed understanding of formation of Religious for life and ministry, grounded in our Catholic tradition, and set on repairing and nurturing our relationality.” Br David is also Provincial Delegate for Professional Standards and Safeguarding for the Franciscan Friars.
Importantly, with a substantial number of people currently in the initial stage of formation in Religious Institutes in Australia, and many Religious Institutes open to receiving new Candidates, Restoring and Nurturing Right Relationships is a publication which recognises that formation in religious life is ongoing and it seeks to identify key concepts for healthy and lifelong formation.
“Our Religious Institutes are continually developing, regularly evaluating, and looking for ways to improve their formation processes and implement regulatory and procedural practices. Our hope is that Restoring and Nurturing Right Relationships will provide a standard for best practice, particularly with respect to the recruitment, screening, and continuous formation of Institute aspirants and members,” said Anne Walker, CRA National Executive Director.
“Religious Institutes are taking an increasingly multi-faceted approach to formation to honour, form and stretch the whole person entering religious life and living as a Religious. To assist this, this publication includes guidance on the consultation of lay people in screening and assessing candidates for religious life, development of relationships with lay associations within the order, the promotion of a healthy understanding of celibacy as well as regular professional development,” she added.
This resource can be freely accessed online at Catholic Religious Australia.
There will be a book launch in person and online on 21 November 2021, see the CRA website for details.
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MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Sylvia MacRitchie-Hook | M: 0410 644 356 | E: comms@catholicreligious.org.au