Bishop of Getafe sets new guidelines for Hermanos del Amor Misericordioso
Bishop Ginés García Beltrán said young men hoping to form the religious family known as Hermanos del Amor Misericordioso must now discern their vocations individually, in their own seminaries or in an institute recognized by the Church
The bishop of Getafe, Ginés García Beltrán, has issued a statement on the vocational discernment of a group of young men who hope to form a religious family called Hermanos del Amor Misericordioso (Brothers of Merciful Love), or HAM. The project began in 2008, and some of its members have been ordained deacons and priests. They currently serve in various pastoral ministries in the diocese, which covers the area south of Madrid.
According to the statement, discernment of a vocation to religious life must from now on be carried out individually and personally. Seminarians may continue that process in their own seminaries or, if they think it better, join an institute of religious life or another form of consecrated life duly recognized by the Church.
The ordained ministers will continue their discernment through the pastoral ministries they already carry out in the diocese. García Beltrán said the decision involves no negative judgment on the desire of those concerned to embrace a religious vocation. That desire is recognized and valued, he said, and he considers it better for each man to discern personally how the Lord is calling him to live the evangelical counsels, fraternal life in community and a stable rule of life.
Deacons preparing for the priesthood will be ordained priests when the time is right, provided the conditions set by Church law are met. They will then be given a pastoral assignment in the diocese, in line with canon 1030 of the Code of Canon Law.
The Diocese of Getafe said it intends to offer these young men whatever human and pastoral support they may need during the process, giving them a place to be heard, welcomed and supported.
