Vicars for religious urged to be part of Spirit's 'ongoing history'

Published: 2007-03-27

MENLO PARK, Calif. (CNS) -- Even though the average age of religious-order priests, sisters and brothers serving in the United States is increasing and their numbers are declining, don't conclude religious communities are dying out, a well-known scholar said during a recent national meeting in Menlo Park. Instead, think of consecrated life as an "ongoing history" being written by the Holy Spirit, advised Oblate Father Frank Morrisey, adding that the divine author's last chapter is "yet to come." A professor of canon law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, the priest presented an overview of the history of religious life -- with a view to the future -- in a series of talks during the 40th annual assembly March 14-18 of the National Conference of Vicars for Religious. Vicars for religious serve as the liaison between their bishops and those in consecrated life in their dioceses. More than 50 vicars came from across the country to the meeting, with the theme "Seasons of Hope: Remembering the Past, Celebrating the Present, Claiming the Future."

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