Pious Association
{{For|the Catholic associations called "pious unions" or "pious associations" in the past|Association of the Christian faithful}}
{{canon law}}Pious association or pious union in the canon law of the Roman Catholic Church is the legal concept that describes an organization of Catholic persons, approved by the local ordinary, engaged in the practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in the name of and in accordance with the teachings of the Church.{{cite book |last1=Donnelly |first1=Francis |title=The Catholic Encyclopedia |date=1907 |publisher=Robert Appleton Company |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02005b.htm |accessdate=21 March 2020}}{{cite web |title=Pious Organizations |url=https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=35591 |website=Catholic Culture |accessdate=22 March 2020}}
Definition
Title V, 'Associations of the Christian Faithful' (Cannon 298–329){{cite web |title=Canon Law |url=http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P11.HTM |website=Vatican Archives |accessdate=21 March 2020}} defines these organizations as distinct from societies of consecrated and apostolic life which are to foster a more Christian life, promote public worship and Catholic doctrine, and exercise other works of such as evangelization, piety, and charity. The most recent and definitive Apostolic constitution concerning pious associations is "Provida Mater Ecclesia - Concerning Secular Institutes," issued by Pius XII in 1947.{{cite web |last1=Pius XII |title=Provida Mater Ecclesia |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document/provida-mater-ecclesia-concerning-secular-institutes-458 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905182557/http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document/provida-mater-ecclesia-concerning-secular-institutes-458/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |publisher=Catholic News Agency |accessdate=22 March 2020}}{{Primary source inline|date=September 2021}}
See also
References
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