Personal Notes Letter from the Moderator

Dear Delegates,

This little Handbook has been put together to help newly-elected delegateswhen faced with the task of representing their regions on the CIB Conference.

You will find in this booklet a number of documents that have been worked onover the past few years spelling out the aims of the CIB, describing thedifferent offices and the tasks involved and giving an overview of the historyand development which has led to the present structure. The updated list ofcurrent delegates will be handed out each year at the annual Conferencemeeting.

Each new delegate will need to acquaint herself with these basic documents.They will be helpful when passing on information to your regional meetingsabout exchange between Benedictine women on the international level. Youwill also find basic information that can help you when encouragingunderstanding and support on the regional level.

The Communio is still very young and there is much we can still do to makeour structures transparent. It would be a great help to those who succeed youas delegate, if you could also gather information about the monasteries of yourregion as well as keeping an archive of documents related to past meetings,which you can then pass on from one delegate to the next.

It might be helpful to appoint someone in your region who has experience withinternet and who might suggest ways of keeping contact with the monasteriesin your region by e-mail. This sister could pass on important information orlinks to the CIB secretary for the CIB website, as well as notifying updates ofinformation given there (www.benedictines-cib.com).

It is hoped that with time an archive of information about the regions can bebuilt up in our secretariat in Assisi. But that is still a dream for the future.

Trusting that God provides all that is necessary for those who serve him, we need toconsider means of financing our work. We are grateful for anyone who comes up withcreative ideas in this respect and thank you for passing on the contribution from yourregion punctually at the end of July each year to the treasurer.

Many thanks to Sr. Sonia Wagner, prioress of the Good Samaritans of the Order of St.Benedict in Australia for suggesting to make this handbook and taking on the task ofputting it together. It has such a handy design that I am sure it will be very popular, notonly amongst those who are new.

Repeatedly at meetings delegates have stressed how enriching the encounter withBenedictines of so many different traditions and cultures has been. To discover the deepwisdom of the Rule of St. Benedict authentically translated not only into the differentsituations over fifteen hundred years but also into a multitude of different life-settings,gives a new perspective which can inspire each one of us in our own particularmonastery. It is my hope for you that this task that you have taken over, will be a trulyjoyful and spiritual experience which will bring you and your communityencouragement and support in your monastic life.

Máire Hickey OSB, ModeratorWarsaw, September 2005

Appendix Two

Administrative Council (2002-2006)

MODERATORFrau Äbtissin Máire HickeyAbtei St. Scholastika, Burg Dinklage, D- 49413 Dinklage GermanyTel: +49 4443 513-0Fax: +49 4443 513 -118 email: abtei@abteiburgdinklage.de

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILPrioress Judith Ann Heble Rev. Mother Abbess Jolanta RzoskaSacred Heart Monastery, 1910 Zarnowiec na Pomorzu 43 Maple Avenue, Lisle IL PL- 84-110 Krokowa Poland60532-2164 USATel: +1 630 969 7040 or Tel: +48 58 673 75 14

+1 630 969 1650 Fax: +48 58 673 57 52 Fax: +1-630-969-5814 email: zarnowiec@mm.com.plemail: jheble@aol.com

Rev. M. Prioress Prioress General Sonia WagnerGeneral Theodora Ntuli Sisters of the Good Samaritan, Twasana Convent, Private Bag X9373, 1A Harris Road, Five Dock NSW 2046Vryheid 3100, RSA KZN AustraliaKwa-Zulu South Africa Tel: +61 2 8752 5302Tel: +27 34 981-0021 Fax: +61 2 8752 5366Fax: +27 73 350-9938 email: swagner@goodsams.org.auemail ntulitt@hotmail.com

SECRETARYSr. Monica LewisSecretary GeneralAbtei St.ScholasticaD-49413 Dinklage, GermanyTel.: +49 4443 513-0Fax.: +49 4443 513 118email: abtei@abteiburgdinklage.de

Table of Contents

What is the CIB......................................................................................1

Historical Background............................................................................1

First Steps towards a network of Benedictine women.............................1

Timeline.................................................................................................2

Statutes...................................................................................................6

CIB Memorandum................................................................................10

Norms concerning association with the Confederation..........................12Chapter 2..................................................................................13Chapter 3 .................................................................................14Chapter 4..................................................................................15

AppendicesList of Regions...........................................................................1Administrative Council members............................................... 2

Appendix One

List of Regions sending Delegates to the Conference of the CIB

1 Italy and Malta

2 Spain and Portugal

3 France and Israel

4 Great Britain and Ireland

5 Benelux

6 GASS - Germany/ Austria/ Switzerland/Scandinavia

7 Poland

8 Croatia

9 USA, Canada (with three delegates)

10 ABECA (Benedictine Association of the Caribbean and the Andes)

11 Brazil

12 Cono-Sur

13 Korea/Japan/Taiwan/Vietnam

14 Philippines

15 Oceania

16 East Africa

17 Central and W. Africa and Madagascar

18 South Africa, Namibia

19 India, Sri Lanka

What is the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB)?In November 2001 after a consultation process with all monasteries of BenedictineWomen around the world, it was decided to use the name COMMUNIOINTERNATIONALIS BENEDICTINARUM (CIB) to designate all communities ofBenedictine women recognised by the Abbot Primate as such and enlisted in theCatalogus Monasteriorum OSB This was the culmination of a development since theSecond Vatican Council as well as the beginning of a new era for BenedictineWomen.

Historical background of the CIB - the Benedictine Confederation

Between 1886 and 1893 Pope Leo XIII took steps towards the setting up of theBenedictine Confederation, the structure for networking between the congregationsof Benedictine men existing at that time, with the Abbot Primate as a unifying figureat the head of the community at S’Anselmo in Rome. The purpose of theConfederation was to create and consolidate international contact between theBenedictine monasteries of men with a view to furthering the common tradition ofwestern monasticism and to prepare the monks through serious study for their servicein the Church in the 20th century. There was no parallel foundation for Benedictinewomen. Gradually women's monasteries and congregations were admitted byassociation into the Benedictine Confederation, but without full membership. Theirstatus in the Confederation gave them no opportunity to support each other throughregular meetings and international contact.

First Steps Towards Networking Between Benedictine Women After Vatican II(1968 - 1988)

In Paragraph 23 of the Decree “Perfectae Caritatis", that Council documentconcerning the renewal of religious life, conferences and councils of major superiorsare expressly encouraged as a means of bringing small communities out of isolationand of sharing potential. Since 1893 the Abbots' Congress had been such aconference of major superiors including all the monasteries of Benedictine men.From around 1965 on it was becoming clear, that something must be done to create asimilar possibility for Benedictine Women.

Timeline1968The Synod of Abbot Presidents under Abbot Primate Rembert Weakland voted “that theAbbot Primate should form a Commission for nuns and sisters and that thiscommission should be divided into two sections, one for nuns and one for sisters, butboth under the same secretary. It was also decided that these two consultative bodiesshould be formed from an equal number of men and women." (Circular letter of theAbbot Primate to Benedictine women dated October 28, 1968.) These two Commissionsmet separately with the Abbot Primate a number of times during the next few years.

1972At the Synod of Presidents it was decided to invite the Commission of Nuns and severalPrioresses General of the Benedictine Sisters to the Congress of Abbots as observers.

1980The Confederation organised a Centenary Symposium to celebrate the 1500 anniversaryof the birth of St. Benedict. As representatives of the women 55 abbesses/prioresses wereinvited. This was the first time that Benedictine Abbesses and Prioresses, Monialesand Sorores, from different traditions and different parts of the world met togetherin Rome - as yet only as guests of the Abbots' Congress.

1984The two commissions met for the first time together to discuss possibilities of a jointmeeting of nuns and sisters.

1987The Benedictine Sisters invited 16 nuns to join 40 sisters at an assembly on the theme:"Implications of the Benedictine Rule for the life of Benedictine Women," in Casa SantoSpirito, the Generalate of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing in Rome inOctober. This first Symposium organised by the sisters broke new ground forco-operation between nuns and sisters.

There is a very great variety of Benedictine women's communities, not just in terms ofcultural differences. In addition - as a consequence of historical and canonical factors -their way of life developed in different directions each with a different emphasis,becoming communities of either nuns or sisters. There is no central government for them

Chapter 4

Mutual help between the Confederation and Consociated Monasteries and Institutes.

10. The Confederation and monasteries and institutes consociated with it offermutual help, especially in spiritual matters (Lex propria, n.15,a).

11. Monasteries of monks, if requested, will do what they can to give to monasteriesand consociated institutes spiritual help.

The whole Confederation provides help, especially through the office of the AbbotPrimate whose task it is to represent the Confederation and to foster collaborationwith all vigour between the confederated monasteries and between monasteries andconsociated institutes (Lex propria, n.17,c). However, monasteries of women whichare under a regular superior, and especially those which are incorporated into acongregation or a monastery of monks, should in the first place look for help fromthem.

12. Monasteries and consociated institutes should make a contribution to theConfederation for services rendered or to be rendered. It falls to the AbbotPrimate, together with the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum, to notifythe monasteries and consociated institutes of the appropriate donation to bemade.

13. Representatives chosen by the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum arenormally invited to take part in the Congress of Abbots, to represent all theconsociated monasteries and Institutes.

Chapter 3:Collaboration betweenBenedictine Women

7 In order that fraternal collaboration may be better fostered among themonasteries, institutes and federations of Benedictine women, the CommunioInternationalis Benedictinarum is being established under the aegis of theConfederation. This Communio is governed according to proper statutes whichare approved by the Abbot Primate.

8 Monasteries, institutes and federations of Benedictine women which are legallyconsociated with the Confederation are automatically members of theCommunio Internationalis Benedictinarum.

9 The Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum advises the Abbot Primate in theaffairs of Benedictine women as occasion arises.

all. They are each autonomous.

However, as the network around our globe has become increasingly closer spun,Benedictine women have come to realise that it is necessary to find new ways ofworking together. A process ensued, thanks to the courage and confidence of manyindividual women. Each of them, supported by the Abbot Primate of their time, knewthat, if we are willing to accept the challenge as well as the enrichment inherent in atrue meeting with each other, the Kingdom of God would indeed win groundamongst us. This was the road that the Benedictine women 1987 chose.

1988The two Commissions under Abbot Primate Victor Dammertz merged. Membershipwas to be delegated to women representing 18 regions (later 19 regions) throughoutthe world, as well a Prioress General of an international congregation with itsMotherhouse in Rome and a representative of the organisation AIM. An ExecutiveCommittee was to organise a next joint Symposium. The Executive Committeedrafted the first statutes of the Commission with the help of Abbot Primate Viktor.

1993The 2nd international Symposium took place from September 14 - 23, for the firsttime a meeting of women in S'Anselmo/Rome. The theme was monastic professioninculturated. Each of the papers given, covering the monastic vows and theevangelical councils, were accompanied by two responses: e.g. the paper on poverty,given by a sister from Brazil, was accompanied by two responses, one from Germanyand one from South Africa, and the paper on obedience by a German wasaccompanied by responses from USA and Korea. Through this way of sharing, theperspective became broader, making a deeper understanding possible. God taught usthrough the reality we experienced. As the American, Joan Chittister OSB, said in aclosing word: “Nothing of what we do can change the past, but everything we do canchange the future." God leads us into the future and together we move forward intothat future.

1997The delegates from the 19 regions were called to Rome to discuss their questions withthe Abbot Primate. They made the first steps towards giving their circle a structure and amandate by approving draft statutes and electing a moderator for four years.

1998The 120 participants of this 3rd international Symposium from September 5 - 12,came to Rome from 36 different countries from Australia to Vietnam. The theme thistime was "The experience of God and the Benedictine approach to prayer." Both terms:"experience of God" and "prayer" express a deep desire which characterises people oftoday. The Benedictine approach to the "indescribable land of the experience of God" -that became apparent - is more a road of mundane steps in faith rather than a path intothe exceptional. This spiritual tradition puts the emphasis on Lectio Divina, Liturgy,alternation of work and prayer, belief in the presence and guidance of God. It isimportant to put these steps into practise, to live with full awareness and to share one'sexperiences in whatever way the context allows.After the Symposium the delegates from the 19 regions had a meeting at which theydecided to meet every year.

1999The first annual meeting of the delegates from the 19 regions took place outsideRome. The invitation to meet in USA - a step involving an unusually long trip forEuropean sisters and which needed some courage to take up - proved to be anoverwhelming experience of generous hospitality in the spirit of St. Benedict in a contextof moving liturgies and open sharing. Experiencing at first hand the deep Benedictinespirituality of the American sisters helped to break down many misunderstandings fromthe past and enhanced respect towards one another.

2000Colloquium from August 28th - 30th to celebrate the millennium. 50 nuns and sistersmet at S’Anselmo/Rome and braced the controversial subject of enclosure. Despite thediversity of interpretation and forms of life, the comparatively small group was able topractise sharing and listening to each other. They recognised common values in thedifferences as well as learning from each other.At this meeting it became clear that, to strengthen the common identity, a name for allBenedictine women was needed.

Chapter 2

Conditions for Consociation5 A monastery of women which professes the Rule of Saint Benedict, if it is

incorporated or united to any congregation of monks or to any monasticconfederation, is to be consociated with the Confederation through thatcongregation or monastery. A new monastery founded by a consociatedmonastery can legally be considered consociated with the Confederation.

6 Monasteries, federations and institutes which wish to be consociated with theConfederation in the future must petition the Abbot Primate according to thefollowing norms:a they must send their constitutions to the Abbot Primate who will assess:

i) whether the spirit of the life is founded in and inspired by the ruleof Saint Benedict;

ii) whether they truly lead the common life;iii) whether the work of God is an essential part of the life of the

community.b It is highly appropriate that the monastery, federation or institute which

seeks consociation with the Confederation should seek to forge spirituallinks with some monastery of the Confederation.

c Moreover, agreement is needed:i) for a monastery of nuns: by two-thirds of the votes in chapter;ii) for a Federation of women: by two-thirds of the votes in chapter in

each monastery of the Federation and in the Council of theFederation;

iii) for another institute of the consecrated life, whether of men or ofwomen: by two thirds of the votes in General Chapter.

d A petition in writing is to be sent to the Abbot Primate who is to decide thematter after taking advice according to the following principles:

i) if it concerns a monastery, institute or federation of women, he is toconsult the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum, whoseresponsibility it is to offer advice to the Abbot Primate;

ii) if it concerns a monastery, Institute or federation of men which theAbbot Primate does not know much about, he is to seek letters ofrecommendation from a superior of a monastery or from an institute

NORMAE DE CONSOCIATIONE TEXT approved by the Abbots' Congress 2004

NORMS CONCERNING ASSOCIATION WITH THE CONFEDERATION

Chapter 1Consociation in General

1 The Benedictine Confederation was founded and continues for this purpose:under the impulse of the Holy Spirit and the leadership of the Church to fostermonastic life according to the gospel and the Rule of our holy father Benedict,and according to the sound traditions of any congregation or monastery adaptedto the conditions of time and place; and to encourage fraternal help in every wayamong the congregations, whether it be in persons, goods or works, (Lex propria,n.16).

2 To further this end monasteries, federations and institutes of women of the Orderof Saint Benedict are consociated with the Confederation, as well as otherinstitutes of the consecrated life, whether of men or women, whose membersseek to cultivate the Benedictine monastic spirit.

3 Monasteries and institutes consociated with the Confederation rejoice in all thespiritual blessings and privileges of the Confederation, and can make use of therescripts and indults granted to the whole Confederation. But this consociationdoes not infringe the autonomy of any monastery or institute or the rights of theproper ordinary (Lex propria, n.15,b).

4 Fraternal collaboration is further advanced by the bond of consociation:

a of the monasteries, federations and institutes of Benedictine women amongthemselves;

b the Benedictine Confederation and congregations of monks among themonasteries, federations and institutes of Benedictine women and otherconsociated institutes.

2001Annual meeting of the delegates of the 19 regions in Nairobi, Kenya. In the settingof a thriving African community with overflowing novitiate the name for theinternational network of Benedictine women "Communio" (CIB) was born.Remembering the importance of the cultural experience in North America in 1999, aspecial effort was made to put across some aspects of African culture. For example,the young sisters did a pantomime showing ways of conflict solution in their tribaltradition, a tradition of listening and mediating, and they shared their culture of songand dance.

2002The 4th international Symposium took place from September 4 - 11 and was the1st Symposium organised by the CIB - as the worldwide network was now known.M. Máire Hickey OSB / Dinklage, who had been the elected moderator of the groupof delegates since 1998, chaired the meeting. Abbot Primate Notker Wolf OSB /Rome welcomed not only 80 delegates and a team of 10 organisers and translators,but also for the first time 19 young sisters representing the 19 regions. The theme ofthe meeting was Chapter 72 of the Rule of St. Benedict: "Good Zeal." Presentationsfrom West Africa, USA, Australia, the Philippines, Germany and England offeredmatter for reflection and sharing, highlighting characteristics and processes ofrenewal. In addition contributions from all 19 regions reflecting areas of dynamicspiritual heritage in each region helped to concretise points being made.

2003Annual meeting of the "Conference of delegates" in Sydney, Australia, hosted bythe Good Samaritan sisters. One question on the agenda, how to spreadconsciousness for the aims of the CIB at grass roots, suddenly found an immediateanswer - hosting the Conference was having an immediate effect on the hosts. TheRegion was profiting. The idea arose to develop this chance of sharing withcommunities of the different regions when planning future meetings.

2004The Annual meeting of the Conference of delegates was held in Assisi – city ofdialogue. The theme for the conference was reconciliation. Abbess Giacinta

Soverino offered a room in the monastery S.Giuseppe for use by the CIB as asecretariat.

In Rome on 27 September 2004 the Congress of Abbots approved the updating ofthe 1985 text of the Normae de Consociatione cum Confoederatione (Norms of theLex Propia) to recognise the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB) and itsrelationship to the Benedictine Confederation. The CIB now officially representsone body of Benedictine women’s communities consociated with the BenedictineConfederation (those listed in the Catalogus Monasteriorum, OSB, Edition One2000), whether nuns or sisters.

to send out invitations to the meetings according to the instructions of theModerator,

to co-ordinate the logistics of the Symposia under the direction of theModerator.

to build up a central archive of CIB material in a suitable location in Rome. to do any other secretarial task that evolves out of the meetings of the

Council and the Conference under the direction of the Moderator.

6) The task of the CIB Treasurer is: to administer the financial affairs of the CIB and to collaborate with the

Finance Committee.

7) The task of the Finance Committee is: to develop an annual budget which needs to be approved of by the

Administrative Council, to present an annual report to the Administrative Council, to monitor the investment of funds, to determine the distribution of the solidarity fund according to the policy

of the Administrative Council, to correspond with the Delegates of each Region about contributions to

the fund. The Delegates are responsible for passing information on to thehouses in their Region,

to put forward the name of a bookkeeper, who can take up work after theapproval of the Administrative Council.

8) Regional Contributions To The CIB Solidarity Fund

STATUTES of the

Communio Internationalis BenedictinarumVoted on and ratified by Abbot Primate Notker Wolf, September 12, 2002

PreambleThe one common charism, embraced by those who have lived according to the Rule ofSt. Benedict for 15 centuries, has been implanted and inculturated in all parts of theworld to this day. This revered and ancient tradition continues to flourish and be asource of vitality in the church.

The Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum respects and fosters the unique andfaithful expression of this charism in each of its monasteries.

1 The Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB), respecting the autonomy ofeach monastery, congregation and federation, brings together in a sisterly bond allwomen’s’ communities consociated with the Benedictine Confederation, and functionsunder the aegis of the Jus Proprium of the Confederation.

2 The purpose of the CIB is - a) To promote mutual support and exchange of ideas and experience among

Benedictine women on an international level and to foster the development ofwomen’s monasticism.

b) To continue to develop the consociatio between the women’s communities andthe Benedictine Confederation.

c) To bring significant concerns of Benedictine women to the attention of theConfederation, the Synod of Presidents and the Congress of Abbots.

d) To advise the Abbot Primate and submit proposals and suggestions to him withregard to matters which affect Benedictine women.

3 The Abbot Primate is a symbol of the unity of the Benedictine Order, and thereforefosters collaboration between the communities of the CIB and the communities ofmonks of the Confederation, and he promotes unity between the CIB and theConfederation.

In 2003 it was agreed that a CIB Solidarity Fund would be established tocover our operating costs. These costs are divided over 19 regions. Itemerged clearly from discussions that there are regions that can contributethis sum or even more, others that can contribute some part of it and othersthat are, at the moment, not in a position to make a financial contribution.The good zeal of the Gospel and the Rule of St Benedict call us to share ourstrength and our burdens with each other in justice and in charity. We hope,that in this spirit we shall receive surplus contributions from some regions thatwill go a long way towards covering the costs of others.

LANGUAGE

The official languages of the Conference are currently English and French. Allofficial documents of the Conference will be provided in these two languages.

CIB MEMORANDUM

1) The task of a Conference Delegate is: to attend the Annual Conference meetings, to be in contact with the monasteries in her Region at least by letter, and

to pass on reports about the work of the Conference and the InternationalSymposia to these monasteries.

to facilitate communication within her Region and on the internationallevel.

to collect contributions to the solidarity fund from monasteries in herRegion.

to send solidarity fund contributions to the CIB Treasurer (see point 8) 2) The task of a Substitute is:

to assist the Conference Delegate and replace her if necessary, to replace the Conference Delegate in the interim before a new

election/appointment, if the Delegate goes out of office before her termis completed.

to inform the Moderator of these changes, should the ConferenceDelegate herself be unable to do so.

to attend meetings of the Conference in her own right if she wishes andif the circumstances allow. The ensuing costs will not be covered by thesolidarity fund.

5 The Conference of the CIB is formed of Delegates from Regions allocated by theAdministrative Council on the basis of geographical location, regional structures andstatistical information provided by the Catalogus of the communities of BenedictineWomen.

6 Each Region is represented on the CIB Conference by a Delegate who is to be electedby the Major Superiors of the Region. A Substitute is elected at the same time, whowill represent the Region if the Delegate is impeded and who will replace her if sheceases to be Delegate. The Delegates and Substitutes must be or have been MajorSuperiors. If an election is not possible in a given Region, the Moderator willdesignate a Delegate after having consulted with the Administrative Council.Immediately upon election, the name of the Delegate and Substitute should becommunicated in writing to the Moderator. A Delegate or Substitute who ceases to bea Major Superior remains a Delegate or Substitute until the Region elects a delegate orshe chooses to resign.

7 The Administrative Council may co-opt extra members to the Conference to ensureadequate representation of groups and Regions (especially in developing regions) andinternational Congregations. The decision to co-opt extra members must be confirmedby the Conference. Co-opted members will have active and passive voting rights andwill serve for a time determined by the Administrative Council. When a member is co-opted, a substitute will also be named.

8 The term of office of the Delegate and Substitute are determined by the Region itself,but may not exceed six years. A Delegate and Substitute may be re-electedindefinitely.

9 The list of Regions and Delegates is to be regularly reviewed and revised according tochanging circumstances and developments. The list of the Regions is given in anAppendix to these Statutes. A current listing of the Delegates and Substitutes for eachRegion will be presented to the members of the Conference at the annual meeting.

10 Two-thirds of the Delegates to the Conference shall constitute a quorum. In theabsence of a quorum, a majority of Delegates present may make provisional decisionson urgent matters relating to the functioning of the CIB Such decisions needratification by the Conference as soon as possible, not later than one year.

11 The Conference of the CIB meets on the occasion of the Symposia of the whole CIB,the Abbots’ Congress, and whenever it is deemed appropriate by the AdministrativeCouncil. Normally the Conference will meet annually.

The communities consociated with the Confederation are listed in the current Catalogus monasteriorumOSB Sororum et Monialium.

2 Cf. Jus Proprium, art. 14, 15; Normae de consociatione cum Confoederatione: Jus proprium ConfoederationisBenedictinae, Romae 1985, 31-34. See Appendix

12 The Administrative Council may invite an AIM representative to attend a meeting of theConference as an observer without voting rights.

13 The procedure for the election by the Conference of the Moderator, the AssistantModerator and the Administrative Council is as follows:

a) The election of a Moderator and Assistant Moderator is preceded by a process ofspiritual discernment approved by the Administrative Council. A facilitator, evenfrom outside the Conference, may be appointed by the Administrative Council todirect and implement the process of discernment and election. This processincludes the following: • Identifying immediate and future needs and goals of the Conference of the CIB.• Surfacing desirable leadership qualities;• Recognising and listing of potential leaders for Moderator and Assistant

Moderator.b) The Conference nominates from the Delegates of the Conference a number of

candidates for the offices of Moderator and Assistant Moderator. Each membernominated informs the Conference of her decision to accept or decline thenomination.

c) Those who accept nomination then engage in an exchange of views with theConference with regard to its future development and the role of the Moderator andAssistant.

d) The Moderator and Assistant Moderator are elected in separate secret ballots by anabsolute majority of the Conference Delegates present and voting.

e) The election of the Moderator and Assistant Moderator is followed by the election –following the same procedure as in 13 a) – d) of two members of the AdministrativeCouncil.

f) Within one month of the election the Moderator and Assistant Moderator can appointone or two further Conference members to the Administrative Council. Themembers of the Administrative Council are representative of the various forms ofmonastic life.

g) The term of office of the Moderator, the Assistant Moderator and the AdministrativeCouncil is four years with the possibility of re-election. Should the Moderator ceaseto be a Major Superior she may remain in office as Moderator. When the Moderatoris unable for any reason to complete her term of office, the Assistant Moderatorassumes the role of Moderator until the next election. The remaining members of the

Council may appoint a replacement for the Assistant Moderator and/or areplacement of a member of the Council if she is unable to complete her termfor any reason.

h) Upon election the Moderator ceases to be the representative of her region. Theregion elects a new representative.

14 The Administrative Council under the leadership of the Moderator, prepares theAgenda for the meetings of the Administrative Council and the Conference, plansthe Symposia and communicates with the Abbot Primate on matters relating toBenedictine women. The Moderator summons and presides over Conference andAdministrative Council meetings and directs the work of the Secretariat.

15 A Secretary, appointed by the Administrative Council, communicates with all themembers of the CIB Conference, takes the minutes of the Conference andAdministrative Council meetings, ensures the circulation of minutes, documentsand information, supervises the archives and performs other tasks determined bythe Moderator.

16 A Treasurer, and, if needed, up to two assistants appointed by the AdministrativeCouncil, administer the funds, raise money as directed by the AdministrativeCouncil, present the accounts to the Administrative Council annually, andwhenever requested, perform other tasks determined by the Moderator.

17 Expenses incurred by membership of the Conference and Administrative Councilare normally met at the regional level.

18 The Conference and the Administrative Council will invite suggestions from theAbbot Primate for the agenda, ask him to attend their meetings and keep himinformed of developments within the CIB.

19a Proposals for amendments to these Statutes may be made by the AdministrativeCouncil, the Conference or the Abbot Primate.

19b Amendments require

(i) consent of the Conference by a two-thirds majority, (ii) ratification by the Abbot Primate.

3 “Major Superior” means Abbess, Conventual Prioress (Moniales and Sorores), Prioress General,President of a Federation (Sorores) or Provincial of a Congregation (Sorores). Should the Benedictine Women Superiors of a Region choose to elect a former Superior no longer inoffice, ratification by the Administrative Council is required. Co-opt means "to elect into a body by the votes of its existing members." (Shorter Oxford EnglishDictionary).

6 Absolute Majority means more than half of the Conference Delegates present and voting (See can.127#1)