CCBI Canon Law Commission Releases Key Guidebook for Religious Congregations

Bengaluru, May 5, 2026: A comprehensive guidebook titled “Canon Law for Consecrated Life” was officially released by the Canon Law Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) during the 99th Executive Committee Meeting of the CCBI held on May 5. The first copies of the book were released by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, President of the CCBI, and Cardinal Anthony Poola, President of the CBCI, and received by Archbishop S. Antonysamy of Madurai Archdiocese, Chairman of the Canon Law Commission, along with other CCBI officials. The book is edited by Fr. Merlin Ambrose, Secretary of the Commission.

The book emerges as the fruit of the deliberations and scholarly inputs presented at the National Conference for Superiors General, Provincials, and Councillors of various congregations in India and abroad, held in Bengaluru from 13 -15 November, 2025. It brings together canonical insights and practical guidance aimed at strengthening governance, administration, and formation within the consecrated life of religious men and women in India.

The volume addresses a wide range of crucial topics, including the role of major superiors and councillors in the religious congregations, administration of temporal goods in the congregations, Bishops-religious relationship, leave of absence, exclaustration, departure and dismissal from institutes, transfer of members. It also explores the formation of candidates, the importance of synodality in the exercise of authority by major superiors, relationships between bishops and religious, and the erection of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life.

Intended as an extensive guidebook, the publication is expected to serve Provincials, Superiors General, Councillors, and all the members of the religious and secular institutes and societies of apostolic life.

Published by the CCBI and distributed by ATC Publishers, the book features a foreword by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, President of the CCBI, who underscores the book’s relevance.

This publication serves to equip major superiors and members of consecrated life with clear, relevant, and practically applicable canonical guidance.

The book may be ordered from ATC Publishers, Bengaluru (Mob: 98867 30224 / 98443 69439 / 98846 68927).

By Catholic Connect Reporter