The Canon Law Society of America (CLSA) serves the Church in the United States and, by extension, other parts of the world by its scholarly research, by resourcing the People of God, clergy and laity alike, and by advocating for justice, ecumenism and good order within the Church.

In recent decades many of the ministries of the Church in the United States (e.g., education, healthcare, social services outreach) have experienced remarkable shifts in the manner in which they are delivered, animated and overseen. These ministries are generally referred to as ‘sponsored works’ and frequently, although not exclusively, they have traditionally related to one or several of the hundreds of religious institutes, secular institutes and societies of apostolic life present in this country. As these ministries face new horizons and new challenges, questions repeatedly surface regarding how best to facilitate their successful transition into the future; specifically questions arise regarding what are the preferred civil law and canon law structures, as well as how these two disciplines interface. It has become evident to many observers that some extended reflection from a canonical perspective might benefit the whole community of believers.

- Edited by: Rosemary Smith, SC, Warren Brown, OMI & Nancy Reynolds, SP

Available for purchase at: Canon Law Society of America
3025 Fourth Street, NE Washington, DC
20017-1102