Emigration Chaplaincy in Canon Law an Outline of the Issue after the Publication of Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi Instruction

Abstract

The article discusses the idea and structure of emigration pastoral care within the legal order existing after the Holy See published Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi instruction in 2004. The author considers the legal-pastoral directives of the Instruction against Code of Canon Law and the latest doctrine judgments. The first part presents the state of old pre-council and pre-code legislation, and the second part deals with the norms contained in CCL of 1983 against the Magisterium of the Church after the Second Vatican Council. The third (main) part systematically discusses directives whose legal character derives from the published Instruction, particularly those referring to chaplains of emigrants and procedures of their appointment, pastoral structures (personal parish, mission cum cura animarum, ministry in a territorial parish and ethnic ministry in a territorial parish), and the national coordinator for chaplains. Finally, the responsibility of particular bishops and Bishops' Conference (including the special bodies for migrants), and the role of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.