Problems and Questions
Introduction
Introduction

Secular Institute Forum In this first section I present a number of problems and questions facing the Secular Institutes and propose solutions to these difficulties.
Problems include:
The ageing of the membership and the fact that the vocation is little known.
Religious Order spirituality employed by the Institutes is incorrect and inappropriate. This usage is holding the vocation back and is a major reason why the vocation is not flourshing.
The organisation of the Secular Institutes. Most have taken the pattern of the Third Orders, whereby they are divided according to the spirituality of the various Orders or Movements.
In short I believe the reason for these and other problems, is that the Secular Institutes are going in the wrong direction and that what is required is a thorough review of the current situation.
Problems include:
The ageing of the membership and the fact that the vocation is little known.
Religious Order spirituality employed by the Institutes is incorrect and inappropriate. This usage is holding the vocation back and is a major reason why the vocation is not flourshing.
The organisation of the Secular Institutes. Most have taken the pattern of the Third Orders, whereby they are divided according to the spirituality of the various Orders or Movements.
In short I believe the reason for these and other problems, is that the Secular Institutes are going in the wrong direction and that what is required is a thorough review of the current situation.
The solution to these problems is to be found in the formation of a new united Secular Institute in the heart of the laity, world, Church with a spirituality which unites the consecration and the lay parts of the vocation; an independent body with its own spirituality, organisation, theology.
The Lord has set before today’s Secular Institutes a ‘new way’ an ‘open door’.
The project needs to be considered seriously by the Institutes; the proposals require discussion, investigation, contact, action...
The Lord has set before today’s Secular Institutes a ‘new way’ an ‘open door’.
The project needs to be considered seriously by the Institutes; the proposals require discussion, investigation, contact, action...
A Time for Searching ! Eccl: 3: 6
Diana May Cockburn
June 2017
June 2017