Independent Catholic Benedictine Confederation

from The Rule of St. Benedict "And let them first pray together, that so they may associate in peace."

Mission Statement:
The Independent Catholic Benedictine Confederation is dedicated to embodying the timeless values and spiritual principles of Benedictine spirituality within the context of the Dutch (Old) Catholic tradition. Listening, rooted in prayer, community, and service, the confederation seeks to foster a deepening of compassion, a commitment to hospitality, and a pursuit of peace and justice in the world.

Constitutions:

01.000 Purpose and Identity:
01.001 The Independent Catholic Benedictine Confederation (ICBC) is an association of autonomous Benedictine monasteries and communities united by a shared commitment to the Rule of St. Benedict in light of the Zen Rule of St. Benedict and the tradition Dutch (Old) Catholic Church.
01.00 Each member monastery retains its autonomy and governance structure while participating in the confederation for mutual support, collaboration, and spiritual enrichment.

02.000 Spiritual Life:
02.100 Members of the Confederation adhere to the Rule of St. Benedict in light of the Zen Rule of St. Benedict as their guide for communal and individual spiritual growth.
02.200 The Liturgy of the Hours and/or Zen Meditation, Eucharistic celebration, Lectio Divina, and other Benedictine practices form the foundation of their communal prayer life.
02.300 Silence, solitude, and contemplation are valued as essential components of their spiritual discipline.

03.000 Community Life:
03.100 Hospitality, humility, and mutual respect are central to our communal life, fostering an atmosphere of welcome and inclusivity. Some monasteries have Earth as their monastery, the school of the Lord's service with whomever a monk encounters is part of the monastic community. All is one.
03.200 Decision-making processes within each monastery are guided by principles of consensus, discernment, and subsidiarity according to each monastery's adaptation of the (Zen) Rule of St Benedict or the Rule of St. Benedict.
03.300 Members are committed to fostering healthy relationships within the community, and members of other member monasteries, by resolving conflicts with compassion and reconciliation.

04.000 Mission and Service:
04.100 The Confederation is dedicated to serving in the Spirit of Compassion the needs of the Church and the world through various ministries, including education, healthcare, social justice advocacy, and spiritual formation Sacramental ministry to all who requests it – without question or judgement — pastoral counselling; retreats and workshops on Prayer and Meditation.
04.200 Members strive to be instruments of peace and reconciliation, promoting dialogue and understanding among diverse peoples and cultures.
04.300 Environmental stewardship and care for God's creation are integral to their mission, reflecting their reverence for all of God's creatures.

05.000 Governance and Leadership:
05.100 The Confederation is governed by a Council composed of the abbots or abbesses from member monasteries, meeting annually either in person or online to coordinate common activities and address shared concerns.
05.110 Presidency shall pass annually based upon time stamp signing of each abbot or abbess denoted date of inclusion. A prospective president may pass to the next in line for any reason.
05.120 The President may appoint a member from another unit as Executive Director as the ICBC evolves.
05.121 The Executive Director serves as the President's secretary and carries out administrative tasks as required.
05.20 Each monastery elects its own abbess or abbot to provide spiritual guidance and leadership within the community, in accordance with the its own constructions in light of the (Zen)Rule of St. Benedict and the traditions of the Catholic Church.
05.300 The Council respects the autonomy of individual monasteries while providing support, guidance, and accountability as needed.

06.000 Relations with the Catholic Church and Other Traditions:
06.100 While maintaining their independence, members of the Confederation affirm their commitment to the Catholic faith as it has evolved throughout the centuries.
06.200 The ICBC engages in dialogue and collaboration with other Christian denominations, religions, and spiritual traditions, seeking common ground and fostering mutual understanding and respect.
06.300 Members of the Confederation are encouraged to participate in ecumenical and interfaith initiatives that promote unity, justice, and peace in the world.

07.000 Membership and Affiliation:
07.100 Membership in the Independent Catholic Benedictine Confederation is open to Benedictine monasteries and monastic communities that share its vision, values, and commitments.
07.200 Prospective members undergo a discernment process to ensure alignment with the Confederation's mission and ethos,
07.210 in due course, the (President of the Confederation) convenes a Chapter to vote upon acceptance of the Confederation's mission and ethos.
07.220 The current Council votes to accept or not the monastic community. Upon acceptance, the new monastic community becomes a member of the Confederation and abbot/abbess vests as a Council member.
07.300 Affiliation with the Confederation is voluntary and may be terminated by mutual agreement or by the decision of the Council in cases of serious misconduct or divergence from our core principles.

08.000 Amendments and Revision:
08.100 These constitutions may be amended or revised by the Council through a process of discernment and consultation with member monasteries.
08.200 Proposed changes must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council and ratified by a majority of member monasteries before taking effect.
08.300 Amendments shall not contravene the essential principles and values outlined in this document, nor infringe upon the autonomy of individual monasteries.

These Constitutions are Promulgated and Ratified on 01 May 2024 by:

Signed:   Abbot-Bishop, White Robed Monks of St. Benedict

Signed:   Abbot-Bishop, White Robed Monks of St. Benedict-SA

Signed:   Bishop-Protector of Anamcara-Oratory within the Patmos Abbey

White Robed Monks of St. Benedict
Post Office Box 27536
San Francisco CA 94127-0536 USA
Phone: 415-292-3228
e-mail:webmaster@whiterobedmonks.org
Page URL: Restricted
Copyright © 2024 White Robed Monks of St. Benedict

01.000	Purpose and Identity:
01.001	The Independent Catholic Benedictine Confederation (ICBC) is an association of autonomous Benedictine monasteries and communities united by a shared commitment to the Rule of St. Benedict in light of the Zen Rule of St. Benedict and the tradition Dutch (Old) Catholic Church.
01.00	Each member monastery retains its autonomy and governance structure while participating in the confederation for mutual support, collaboration, and spiritual enrichment.

02.000	Spiritual Life:
02.100	Members of the Confederation adhere to the Rule of St. Benedict in light of the Zen Rule of St. Benedict as their guide for communal and individual spiritual growth.
02.200	The Liturgy of the Hours and/or Zen Meditation, Eucharistic celebration, Lectio Divina, and other Benedictine practices form the foundation of their communal prayer life.
02.300	Silence, solitude, and contemplation are valued as essential components of their spiritual discipline.

03.000	Community Life:
03.100	Hospitality, humility, and mutual respect are central to our communal life, fostering an atmosphere of welcome and inclusivity. Some monasteries have Earth as their monastery, the school of the Lord's service with whomever a monk encounters is part of the monastic community. All is one.
03.200	Decision-making processes within each monastery are guided by principles of consensus, discernment, and subsidiarity according to each monastery's adaptation of the (Zen) Rule of St Benedict or the Rule of St. Benedict.
03.300	Members are committed to fostering healthy relationships within the community, and members of other member monasteries, by resolving conflicts with compassion and reconciliation.

04.000	Mission and Service:
04.100	The Confederation is dedicated to serving in the Spirit of Compassion the needs of the Church and the world through various ministries, including education, healthcare, social justice advocacy, and spiritual formation Sacramental ministry to all who requests it – without question or judgement — pastoral counselling; retreats and workshops on Prayer and Meditation.
04.200	Members strive to be instruments of peace and reconciliation, promoting dialogue and understanding among diverse peoples and cultures.
04.300	Environmental stewardship and care for God's creation are integral to their mission, reflecting their reverence for all of God's creatures.

05.000	Governance and Leadership:
05.100	The Confederation is governed by a Council composed of the abbots or abbesses from member monasteries, meeting annually either in person or online to coordinate common activities and address shared concerns.
05.110	Presidency shall pass annually based upon time stamp signing of each abbot or abbess denoted date of inclusion. A prospective president may pass to the next in line for any reason.
05.120	The President may appoint a member from another unit as Executive Director as the ICBC evolves.
05.121	The Executive Director serves as the President's secretary and carries out administrative tasks as required.
05.20	Each monastery elects its own abbess or abbot to provide spiritual guidance and leadership within the community, in accordance with the its own constructions in light of the (Zen)Rule of St. Benedict and the traditions of the Catholic Church.
05.300	The Council respects the autonomy of individual monasteries while providing support, guidance, and accountability as needed.

06.000	Relations with the Catholic Church and Other Traditions:
06.100	While maintaining their independence, members of the Confederation affirm their commitment to the Catholic faith as it has evolved throughout the centuries.
06.200	The ICBC engages in dialogue and collaboration with other Christian denominations, religions, and spiritual traditions, seeking common ground and fostering mutual understanding and respect.
06.300	Members of the Confederation are encouraged to participate in ecumenical and interfaith initiatives that promote unity, justice, and peace in the world.

07.000	Membership and Affiliation:
07.100	Membership in the Independent Catholic Benedictine Confederation is open to Benedictine monasteries and monastic communities that share its vision, values, and commitments.
07.200	Prospective members undergo a discernment process to ensure alignment with the Confederation's mission and ethos,
07.210	in due course, the (President of the Confederation) convenes a Chapter to vote upon acceptance of the Confederation's mission and ethos.
07.220	The current Council votes to accept or not the monastic community. Upon acceptance, the new monastic community becomes a member of the Confederation and abbot/abbess vests as a Council member.
07.300	Affiliation with the Confederation is voluntary and may be terminated by mutual agreement or by the decision of the Council in cases of serious misconduct or divergence from our core principles.

08.000	Amendments and Revision:
08.100	These constitutions may be amended or revised by the Council through a process of discernment and consultation with member monasteries.
08.200	Proposed changes must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council and ratified by a majority of member monasteries before taking effect.
08.300	Amendments shall not contravene the essential principles and values outlined in this document, nor infringe upon the autonomy of individual monasteries.