Just before the vote on the Act z 22 June 2000 In the year in the National Assembly, Father Jean Vernette expressed concern on behalf of the Catholic Church, that "one day these legal norms against sects will become a trigger for the anti-religious struggle" and that such an offense may apply to "religious congregations, life in the novitiate, enclosures, ascetic practices […], the vow of obedience and poverty, spiritual direction, In short, there is concern, that it would consider itself a "sect" as well as a "religious congregation.". sect, and religion ".
However, voices were heard among the clergy defending this project. Father Jacques Trouslard, pioneer in the fight against sects, formulated the basic principles, thanks to which he exposed the false arguments put forward by the religious and pseudo-religious lobbies. I will present them here, demonstrating, that the discussion of "sects and religions" is wrong, and its purpose is merely to paralyze the struggle against the sects. Such an analysis of the norms of the Catholic Church can with certainty be carried out in relation to any religion, which respects man's place in God's plan.
“There is a fundamental difference between sect and religion, between the sect and the Church (Catholic). By its very nature, a sect violates freedom. Faith, belonging to the Church can and should only be a free and voluntary membership ".
The Code of Canon Law protects freedom. That members of religious congregations can consciously and without compulsion follow the vocation, The Church has established extremely precise legal norms, contained in canon law, about:
– Admissions to the order. Superiors may not admit candidates to their congregation, who are not of the required age, adequate health, appropriate disposition and attributes of maturity appropriate for taking up life in a religious congregation. Health, character and maturity are verified, when necessary, with the help of experts 4. Therefore, a candidate cannot be validly accepted, which would not be finished 17 years and who would be "under duress, heavy fear " (can. 643).
– Admission steps. POSTULATE: although this practice has not been included in canon law, a young man or a girl, who ask to be admitted to a religious congregation, mostly they are invited to a trial, by carrying out their ordinary activities outside the congregation, then spending some time in the bosom of the congregation for it, to check, whether their actions are done freely, whether they have the required bloated, are they animated by righteous intention ". NOVITIATE: “Until valid, the novitiate should last twelve months spent in the novitiate community […]”, to which may be added One or more periods of apostolic practice, undertaken outside the novitiate community. The novitiate should not be extended beyond two years " (can. 648). Those responsible for the novitiate should "discern and test the vocation of the novices" (can. 652). “The novice is free to leave the institute; the competent authority of the institute may also expel him " (can. 653). “If, after the end of the novitiate, the novice is considered fit, he is to be admitted to temporary profession, otherwise expel. If there is any doubt as to its suitability, a major superior may extend the trial period, in accordance with its own law, but never over six months " {place).
– Religious profession. If the novice is considered fit after completing the novitiate, is admitted to the profession. TIME PROFESSION: "Should be submitted for the period prescribed by the own law, not shorter than three years and not longer than six years " (can. 655). "Temporary profession is required for validity, to: the person making it was at least eighteen years of age; the novitiate was validly completed; the admission was made freely by the competent superior, having heard the voice of his council, accordance with the law; it was clear and complex without being forced, heavy fear or deception; was accepted by the appropriate supervisor, in person or by another " (can. 656). PERPETUAL PROFESSION: "After time, for which profession was made, religious, who asks for it himself and is considered fit, should be admitted to renewal or perpetual profession. Otherwise, he should leave the institute " (can. 657). That perpetual profession is important, is required, that the religious should be at least twenty-one years old, and the period of perpetual profession was preceded by a period of temporary profession.
– Election of superiors. Canon law specifies various norms, the fulfillment of which is to guarantee, that the superiors of the congregation exercise their authority "with respect for the human person" and that "grant the members of their community the freedom they deserve" (can. 630).
– The control and power of the bishop. The bishop of the diocese has the right and duty to visit monasteries and religious communities operating in accordance with diocesan law.. No religious order may be founded without the prior written consent of the diocesan bishop. The permission of the Holy See is required for the founding of a monastery of nuns (can. 609). Independent monastery, who reports to only one superior, it is entrusted to the special supervision of the diocesan bishop (can. 615).
It can therefore be concluded, that the hierarchical system of the Catholic Church aims to avoid exceeding the permitted scope of authority, which could occur in a community and would limit its members to live in freedom in the broadest sense of the word. Possible, that opponents of the law of mental manipulation want to avoid blaming religious orders, who do not follow the norms of canon law, certain communities, which can be described as integristic, or also charismatic movements, modeled on the evangelical Anglo-Saxon churches. As for Opus Dei, an organization often mentioned by people who fight against sects, you can not be afraid of it for now. Its status of the personal prelature of the Catholic Church, approved by the Pope v 1982 year, allows – if not formally, it is actually – to subjection to the jurisdiction of bishops in dioceses, in which area it operates.