Institute on Religious Life Inc.

Overview

The Institute on Religious Life (IRL) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting consecrated life within the Catholic Church. Founded in 1974 by a group of bishops, priests, religious, and laypeople, the Institute aims to address the challenges faced by religious communities in the post-Vatican II era.

Founding and History

The Institute was established under the leadership of John Cardinal Carberry, supported by prominent figures such as Most Reverend James J. Hogan, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and Father John A. Hardon, S.J. The founding was motivated by concerns regarding the secularization of religious life, the decline in vocations, and the need for renewal as mandated by Vatican II.

Purpose and Programs

The Institute serves a threefold purpose:

1. Collaboration: Bringing together the laity, clergy, and religious to address challenges facing religious communities in accordance with Catholic teachings.
2. Promotion of Religious Life: Upholding authentic religious life as outlined by Vatican II documents like "Lumen Gentium" and "Perfectae Caritatis".
3. Vocation Support: Encouraging vocations to the religious life.

To achieve these goals, the Institute implements a six-point program:

• Prayers and sacrifices of its members
• Study and research
• Education and information
• Advice and consultation
• Publicity and communication
• Regional and national meetings, including symposia and conferences.

Governance and Membership

The Institute is governed by a Board of Directors and an Advisory Board, which comprise Cardinals, bishops, priests, religious superiors, and lay individuals. As of recent data, it has eight Cardinals and twenty-five bishops involved in its governance. The organization supports 147 religious communities with approximately 20,000 members and also has about 1,530 individual members, comprising both clergy and laity.

Impact and Activities

The Institute supports the consecrated life by fostering a deeper understanding and engagement with Catholic religious traditions. It emphasizes the importance of religious life in the Church, highlighting its role in service, worship, and love. The organization invites Catholics to participate in its mission through membership, thereby supporting the gift of consecrated life.

The Institute's activities are guided by its fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church, making it a key source of stability and guidance for religious communities undergoing renewal processes. Its commitment to promoting authentic religious life aligns with the broader Catholic Church's efforts to strengthen its spiritual foundation and maintain its traditions while adapting to contemporary challenges.