INSTRUCTION ON THE SENDING ABROAD AND SOJOURN OF DIOCESAN PRIESTS 
FROM MISSION TERRITORIES

Pope John Paul II in his Encyclical Redemptoris Missio "encouraged Bishops to offer some of their priests for temporary service in the Churches of Africa, and gave his approval to projects already existing for that purpose".

This particular form of missionary cooperation between the Churches, that is, of fidei donum priests, which has been in place since the middle of last century, remains valid even today.

In view of the diminished number of life-time missionaries that are now available from the already established Churches, this exchange ought to be fostered and promoted.

This exchange among the Churches, the fruit of universal communion, must preserve a strong missionary thrust to counteract the prevalent trend of a certain number of diocesan priests who, incardinated in their particular Churches, want to leave their own country and reside in Europe or North America, often with the intention of further studies or for other reasons that are not actually missionary.

With this Instruction, therefore, the Missionary Dicastery wishes to provide norms to govern the sojourn of diocesan priests from mission territories who are living abroad.

First of all, this Instruction is intended for diocesan Bishops or their equivalent in law whose ecclesiastical circumscriptions are dependent on the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.

One of the principal reasons why diocesan priests from missionary territories are sent abroad by their Ordinary is to further their studies in a field that is unavailable in their own region, with the aim of providing a specific ecclesial service upon their return.

The Bishop, together with his collaborators, should make a careful selection from among his priests of those who are truly gifted and capable of further studies.

One is strongly advised not to send abroad for further studies those priests who have personal problems, in the vain hope that they may find a remedy - instead they should be helped in more appropriate and specific ways.

Pastoral assistance to emigrants of one's own country is another reason why a diocesan priest may be sent abroad for a certain period.

Obviously this must come about with the explicit agreement of the Bishops and then later with the Episcopal Conferences where the emigrants reside.

NORMS

First of all, as a general rule, what is sanctioned by C.I.C., can. 283 §§1 is reiterated: "Clerics, even if they do not have a residential office, are not to be absent from their Diocese for a considerable time, to be determined by particular law, without at least the presumed permission of their Ordinary".

A. Norms for the sending abroad of ordained priests for further studies

art. 1 - The diocesan Bishop of Mission Countries, after having ascertained the actual diocesan needs and sought the counsel of his collaborators, should choose the most able priest, after having asked his consent, to pursue further studies. He is to designate the field of study in which the priest must specialize, the Faculty in which he must enrol and the date of his definitive return.

art. 2 - Agreement is then sought in writing with the diocesan Bishop and with the proposed Institute where he has decided to send the priest, including the question of his financial support.

art. 3 - Some arrangement is then made with this Bishop concerning the pastoral work which shall be undertaken by the priest only, however, for the duration of his course and in such a fashion that it is not too burdensome so as to prevent him from completing his studies in the allotted time span, nor that he be required to assume an office or position as laid down by law.

art. 4 - The diocesan Bishop who receives a priest student from mission territories into his own Diocese should make sure that a precise agreement has been reached, as specified above, with the Bishop who is sending the priest for further studies.

art. 5 -The Bishop who is accepting priest students into his Diocese is obliged to provide spiritual assistance for them by inserting them into the diocesan pastoral plan, ensuring that they participate in the life of the Presbyterate and accompanying them with fatherly care.

art. 6 - In the eventuality of grave problems, this same Ordinary, after having discussed them with the Bishop of the said priest, must take adequate measures that may even result in the termination of permission to remain in that Diocese.^[14]

art. 7 - Any priest who, after having been warned as prescribed by law,^[15] obstinately refuses, to abide by his Bishop's decision and return to his Diocese, will be punished with an appropriate penalty as decreed by law^[16]. Before proceeding, however, the Ordinary ought to inform the overseas Bishop of his intention.

B. Norms for staying abroad to provide pastoral assistance to migrants.

art. 8 - Apart from the norms already noted, either of universal or particular law, and before appointing a priest of a mission territory as a chaplain to migrants, the two Bishops involved should come to some understanding, confirmed in a written agreement, concerning the type and duration of pastoral work required. Such a priest should be introduced into the pastoral activities of the Diocese and participate in the life of the Presbyterate.