Statutes and Guidelines of the Local Units of CRI

1. Status: It is an affiliate of the Regional Conference of Religious which in turn is an affiliate of the National Conference of Religious, India whose registered office is at CRI National Secretariat, CRI House, Masihgarh, New Friends Colony PO, Okhla, New Delhi - 110 025.
   
   
2. Area: Normally, there are to be as many local units as there are dioceses, and these are to be co-extensive with the territory of the later.  Where there is multiple jurisdiction of dioceses arising from co-existence of individual Churches (rites), the area of the local CRI is decided by the Regional Executive Council.
   
   
3. Nature: Local unit of Conference of Religious, India is a conference of members of all Institutes of Consecrated Life and of Societies of Apostolic Life in a diocese / area (cf. CIC cc. 607, 731, 734).
   
   
4. Membership
1. All Religious residing in the diocese / area are members of Local Unit of CRI.  However all major superiors and superiors of religious houses or their delegates only have active and passive voting rights.  (The Local CRI Assembly of Superiors can expand and specify this membership).
2. New members coming into the diocese / area should be enrolled as members by informing the Local CRI President.
   
   
5. Goals: CRI has the following goals:
1. To bring together the members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, so that they share the experiences, challenges and concerns of their religious commitment and get mutually enriched.
2. To make combined effort to achieve more fully the purpose of each Institute, while respecting the autonomy, nature, and spirit of each (CIC c. 708).
3. To deal with matters common to all Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life especially those affecting consecrated life in the diocese / area, and to work to establish suitable co-ordination and co-operation with various ecclesiastical bodies (CIC c. 708).
4. To promote fellowship at all levels of the Christian community in a spirit of humble service and in collaboration with all sections of the people of God and all people of good will.
   
   
6. Functions
1. The Local units execute the policies and decisions of the National and Regional CRI Assemblies.
2. The Local units endeavour to foster co-operation among religious throughout the diocese / area especially in times of trouble, with diocesan authorities, political and social forces.  It keeps in mind, the pastoral vision and particular needs of the Church in that area.  The Local unit acts as an effective link between religious and the Regional CRI by assuming the responsibility for implementing at the local level those decisions taken at the Regional level which pertain to the diocese / area.  It collaborates and networks with other organizations with similar objectives for common good.
3. The Local units aim at fruitful collaboration and dialogue between the religious and the Local Ordinary of the area.
1. By inviting him to some of the sessions of Local CRI Unit for matters of mutual concern.
2. By co-operating with the Local Ordinary in establishing joint committees with religious.
3. By endeavouring to participate in making Pastoral Plan with common concerns for the diocese with the Bishop, Diocesan clergy and laity and actively implementing the same in the diocese / area.
4. The Episcopal Vicar for Religious should attend some sessions of all the local CRI meetings.
4. In important matters of policy decisions and publishing, the Local CRI units should be accountable to the Regional CRI Executive Council and get its approval.
   
7. Local Executive Council
1. The Major / Local Superiors or their delegates of each Local CRI Unit elect the Local Executive Council from the local superiors.  It is composed of a President, Vice-President, Secretary / Treasurer and at least two Councilors.
2. Normally the term of office of the office bearers is three years and can be re-elected.
3. In the election of the Local Executive Council, care should be taken that adequate representation is given to Priests, Brothers, Sisters, Congregations and areas.
4. Conveners for Priests, Brothers and Sisters will be elected by their respective groups if separate meetings of these sections are feasible and advisable.
   
   
8. The Local President
1. The Local President is elected by the Local CRI Assembly.
2. The Local President presides over and co-ordinates the Local Executive Council meetings and Local CRI Assembly.
3. The Local President gives directions to the Secretary / Executive Secretary.
4. When the President is absent or incapacitated, the Vice-President assumes the functions of the President.
   
   
9. The Local Secretary
1. The Local Secretary functions as secretary to the Local CRI Assembly and the Local Executive Council.  He/she takes assumes at the local level functions of animation and coordination.
2. The Local Secretary is responsible for the custody of the movable and immovable properties of the Local CRI Unit, its archives, and funds and for making disbursements with an approved budget and for proper accounting and auditing, if he/she is also the treasurer.
   
   
10. Meetings
1. The Local CRI Unit meets at least thrice a year.  The Local Executive Council meets at least thrice a year and as often as is required.
2. The quorum for the meeting is 40% of the eligible members.
3. Separate sectional meetings for Priests, Brothers and Sisters may be held whenever found necessary and useful.
4. The Local CRI Assembly may identify special areas of concern in the diocese / area and set up different commissions or action cells and co-ordinate / collaborate with the Regional / Diocesan Commissions / Cells in order to repond to these special areas of concern.
5. In order to foster contact with the parent body, the Regional Executive Secretary is invited to the Local CRI Assembly.
6. In order to foster collaboration with the Local Ordinary of the Diocese, the Bishop of the diocese may be invited to some sessions of the Local CRI Assembly.
   
   
11. Elections and Voting
1. The office bearers are elected by the Local CRI Assemblies by secret ballot or by show of hands as decided by the Assembly.
2. The elections are decided by an absolute majority (half plus on) of valid and certain votes.
3. If after the first ballot no candidate obtains such absolute majority, a second ballot is held immediately.  If nobody gets the required majority at the second ballot, a third ballot is held.  In the third ballot only the two persons getting the highest number of votes in the second ballot will have passive vote, and these two will not have active vote.  In the third ballot, the one getting the greater number of votes is declared elected even without an absolute majority.  If there is a tie at the third ballot, the senior by first profession, and, if the two were professed on the same day, the senior by age is chosen.
4. The newly elected office bearers take charge only at the conclusion of the Assembly electing them.
   
   
12. Finance
1. Membership Fees and contributions are proposed by the Local Executive Council and decided by the Local CRI Assembly.
2. Annual financial report is presented to the Local CRI Assembly and approved by it.  Annual budget is presented to the Local Executive Council and approved by it.  The Auditors for the Local CRI are appointed by the Local Executive Council.  Limits of competence of the Local President and the Secretary may be determined by the Local Executive Council.
   
   
13. Relationship
1. At the local level, the CRI units collaborate with the Bishop.
   
   
14. Approval and Amendments of these statutes are within the purview of the National CRI Assembly.  Interpretation of these statutes is within the purview of the National Executive Council.