The Vatican has officially established the Conference for Secular Institute in the Philippines (CSIP), granting the body juridical recognition and approving its governing statutes.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Tuesday, Jan. 21 that the announcement, made public by the CSIP recently, follows a decree from the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life issued in June 2024.
CSIP, which currently includes 14 member institutes and associations, was created to foster collaboration among secular institutes in the country.
In his decree, Cardinal João Braz De Aviz, prefect of the Dicastery, expressed his hope that the new conference would become an “effective instrument for the growth of a mentality and spirituality of communion.”
He also envisioned CSIP as a platform for “dialogue and hope, where secular institutes present in the Philippines can help each other.”
Secular institutes, whose members live out the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience while engaging in secular professions, play a vital role in the evangelization of modern society.
These institutes include laypeople, clergy, or a combination of both, and members work in a wide range of fields, from education and healthcare to law and engineering.
The formal recognition of secular institutes by the Church dates back to 1947, which highlights the importance of this vocation.
As part of its mission, CSIP aims to strengthen relationships among secular institutes, promote joint initiatives for member formation, and engage with the local Church through the CBCP.
It also seeks to support the Church’s social and ecological initiatives.
Founded in 2015, CSIP was introduced to the CBCP during the plenary assembly in Cebu City in January 2018. It became a formal member of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Mutual Relations between Bishops and Consecrated Persons in 2021.
The organization is currently led by the Council of Leaders, with Ms. Angeline Dy of the Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ serving as president.