During the 99th Executive Committee Meeting of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), held recently in Bengaluru, southern India, the Canon Law Commission released Canon Law for Consecrated Life, a guidebook on the life and governance of religious and secular institutes and societies of apostolic life.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao and Cardinal Anthony Poola jointly released the volume. The first copies were received by Archbishop S. Antonysamy, chairman of the Canon Law Commission, along with other CCBI officials.
The book, edited by Fr. Merlin Rengith Ambrose, secretary of the Canon Law Commission, emerged from scholarly discussions and canonical reflections presented during the National Conference for Superiors General, Provincials, and Councilors held in Bengaluru from Nov. 13–15, 2025.
Combining theological reflection with practical canonical guidance, the volume addresses key areas of consecrated life and Church governance. Topics include religious leadership, governance structures, administration of temporal goods, formation of candidates, synodality in authority, juridical establishment of institutes, and canonical procedures related to leave of absence, exclaustration, transfer, departure, and dismissal of members.
The publication also examines the relationship between bishops and religious congregations within the contemporary ecclesial context.
According to the commission, the book is intended to provide practical and responsible canonical guidance for major superiors and members of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life.
Published by the CCBI and distributed by ATC Publishers, the volume is expected to serve provincials, superiors general, councilors, seminarians, canon lawyers, formators, and members of religious and secular institutes in India and abroad.
Copies of Canon Law for Consecrated Life may be ordered through Joy of Gifting Bookstore.
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