Canon lawyer discusses visitations in the context of Heiligenkreuz
Canon lawyer Bier explains the procedures for visitations
Obligated to provide information
The Vatican has ordered an Apostolic Visitation of the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz in order to obtain an "accurate picture." How does it differ from a regular visitation? Canon lawyer Georg Bier knows.
DOMRADIO.DE: What exactly is a visitation in the context of the Church?
Professor Doctor Georg Bier (Chair of Canon Law and Church Legal History at the University of Freiburg): A visitation is a legally prescribed and legally standardized visit by an ecclesiastical superior to a subordinate institution or subordinates. With this visitation and this visit, the superior assumes and fulfills his supervisory duties. It is, in a sense, like a routine car inspection: They check to see if everything is in order. After that, life goes on.
DOMRADIO.DE: What triggers or reasons are there for this?
Bier: Normally, there are no specific reasons. The law obligates superiors to conduct such visitations at regular intervals. For example, the diocesan bishop is obligated to schedule annual visitation periods in his diocese. Every parish in his diocese should be visited at least every five years. In practice, this often happens in conjunction with confirmation trips.
The diocesan bishop is also responsible for religious institutes that exist only in his diocese or that he himself established. However, many religious institutes have traditionally been directly subordinate to the Apostolic See and are thus independent. In these institutes, the Superiors General of the institutes are responsible for regular visitations. The frequency of these visits is determined by the institutes' own law. This can vary.
Georg Bier
"The canon law relating to religious life even explicitly stipulates that those being visited are obligated to support the visitor and help him form his own opinion."
DOMRADIO.DE: So a visitation cannot be refused?
Bier: No, that's not possible. The canon law relating to religious life even explicitly stipulates that those being visited are obligated to support the visitor and help him form his own opinion. For parishes, this is not regulated as precisely with regard to bishops and pastors, but the principle is the same. The bishop has the duty to visit the parish. And, of course, the pastors and all those interviewed are obligated to provide information to the visitor – usually the diocesan bishop or a representative appointed by him.
DOMRADIO.DE: How long does a visitation take and how does it proceed?
Bier: Basically, it depends on the scope of the facilities to be visited. One day is usually sufficient to visit a parish. A visitation often takes place in conjunction with the bishop's visit for a confirmation. The bishop then arrives early, speaks with the pastor and representatives of the parish councils, and has the church records shown to him. Over the course of the day, he gains an overview.
The visitation of a religious order usually takes more time. This isn't just about checking church records or discussing things with committees, but also, for example, the discipline of the members of the order, their lifestyle, and the functioning of the community within the monastic community. This can take a longer period of time, perhaps a week or two.
The situation is somewhat different when a visitation is conducted for a specific reason. In this case, the impression or suspicion has already arisen that there may be certain undesirable developments, grievances, or irregularities. Such an occasion requires a closer look, more detailed investigations. This can lead to a visitation lasting longer.
Georg Bier
"The general rule should be that the visitation does not reveal any irregularities or grievances."
DOMRADIO.DE: What are the steps after a visitation? What consequences can it have?
Bier: As a general rule, the visitation should not reveal any irregularities or grievances. Sometimes there may be some need for correction, but nothing further needs to be done. However, if it is determined that there are significant negative developments, irregularities, or grievances, steps must be taken to remedy these grievances.
For example, if official duties have been seriously violated, this could potentially lead to the removal of the person in question. If financial irregularities are discovered, the church records are examined in detail to determine the cause and the person responsible. If monastic discipline is no longer correct in a religious order, steps must be taken to restore it. What is done depends on the outcome of the visitation.
Bier: Exactly. This is the – not uncommon – special case of an apostolic visitation ordered by the Apostolic See, as happened in Heiligenkreuz. Among the specific tasks assigned to the visitators is the preparation of a detailed final report. The Apostolic See, as the commissioner of the visitation, then decides what conclusions to draw from the final report and what measures to initiate, if necessary.
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