Church towards Ethnic Associations

Abstract

The phenomenon of forming associations on the basis of ethnic and cultural links goes back far into the past. In the church it goes back to the Middle Ages and then the 19 th and the beginning of the 20th century. After the world war II the Apostolic See stayed a little aloof as far as the problem of ethnic immigrant associations is concerned. Finaly, it has become more open and positive since the Second Vatican Council.

The Church accepts the right of migrants to form their own associations both in secular communities and in the Church. It follows from a natural right of people to form associations and of the faithful to congregate in the Church.

The Church recommends all Church associations of a religious, cult, apostolic, benevolent, social and cultural character. According to the Apostolic See all the Catholic ethnic associations ought to follow the mission of the Church. They should dynamicly broaden their areas from parochial and diocesan to internal, international and universal spheres. They should always cooperate with the hierarchy and other Church institutions.

The Code of the Canon Law and the statute of a given Church association define its legal status.