Constitution of the Fraternity of St Genesius Name and Patronage 1. The name of the association shall be THE SPIRITUAL FRATERNITY OF ST GENESIUS and shall be under the patronage of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and St Genesius of Rome, Actor and Martyr. Object and Means 2.1 The primary object of the Fraternity shall be the spiritual accompaniment of the men and women who dedicate their lives to working in the theatrical and cinematic arts. It seeks to respond to the call of the Church to show pastoral concern for those working in these areas and to participate in the Church’s mission recognizing the duty inherent on the baptized to preach Christ in the world. 2.2 The chief means by which the Fraternity will accomplish this aim is by the prayer and daily sacrifices of its members expressed in fraternal love in response to the command of Christ himself to love our neighbour and as a means of living and serving that unity which exists between the baptized within the Mystical Body of Christ. 2.3 With due regard to the primary object of the Fraternity as a spiritual undertaking, the Fraternity may engage in related works which will assist the spiritual welfare of members and those in the theatrical and cinematic arts or contribute to the renewal of culture, inasmuch as they do not offend nor modify the primary object of the Fraternity or those criteria laid down by article 16. Status of the Fraternity 3.1 The Fraternity is a family of prayer faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and obedient to the Supreme Pontiff and those bishops in communion with him. 3.2 The Fraternity is a Private Association of Christ’s faithful according to the provisions of the Code of Canon Law (1983)(cf. canons 298‐311, 321‐326). 3.3 With due regard to canons 305, 323 and 325 of the Code of Canon Law, the Fraternity shall be subject to the jurisdiction, with respect to the nature of private associations of Christ’s faithful, of the Catholic Bishop of Meath, Ireland until such time as the approval of a higher ecclesiastical authority is required. The Fraternity shall regard the Bishop of Meath as its Protector Bishop and he shall be remembered as such in the prayers of the Fraternity. 3.4 According to civil law the Fraternity is ‘an unincorporated association with a constitution’. The Status of this Constitution 4. This constitution shall serve as the Founding Constitution of the Fraternity and shall govern the life of the association until it is deemed necessary by the founder and the Council, that for the good of the Fraternity and its growth, articles be amended, modified and/or added in accordance with the procedure laid down in article 18 and with due regard to article 16.5 of this constitution. The Founder 5.1 This constitution recognizes the first Father Director of the Fraternity and President of the Council as its founder. In order to preserve the founding vision of the Fraternity, he shall remain in office for life, unless he tenders his resignation or is permanently incapacitated in such a manner as will seriously impede his ability. 5.2. In order to establish permanent incapacity the opinion of an objective professional is required, the unanimous decision of all the members of the sitting Council and the explicit approval of the competent ecclesiastical authority. 5.3 With the end of his tenure the two offices of Father Director and President of the Council shall be separated. The Father Director, who shall retain the office of moderator, shall then be appointed by the Council in consultation with and with the approval of the competent ecclesiastical authority. The President of the Council shall be elected by the Council in accordance with article 8.9. 5.4 This constitution acknowledges the right of the founder to relinquish the office of President of the Council while retaining the position of Father Director, should he deem it necessary and appropriate. The Governance of the Fraternity 6. The organs of the Fraternity shall consist of: (i) The Father Director, who serves as moderator. (ii) The Council. (iii) Regional Chapters, subject to the Council. The Father Director 7.1 As the Fraternity aims to be a spiritual family, in accordance with this the Father Director fulfills the role of moderator and spiritual father of the family. 7.2 With the exception of the founder, the Father Director shall be appointed by the Council in consultation with and with the approval of the competent ecclesiastical authority. He will serve for a period of six years, after which he may be proposed for re‐appointment. 7.3 The duties of the Father Director shall be: (i) The spiritual and pastoral care of the Fraternity and its members in the spirit of the vision of its foundation. (ii) To serve as moderator and formal representative of the Fraternity. (iii) To promote the Fraternity in the light of the Church’s mission of outreach to the men and women of the theatrical and cinematic arts. (iv) To serve as a formal link between the Fraternity and the competent ecclesiastical authority. (v) To do all things necessary or expedient in accordance with this constitution to further the objectives of the Fraternity. 7.4 The priest appointed to the position of Father Director must assume the responsibility of the Fraternity freely and with the intention of serving it in as faithful a manner as possible mindful of his pastoral duty to the children of God working in the theatrical and cinematic arts who have been placed into his care and are worthy of his solicitude and intercession. 7.5 Should a Father Director fail to perform his duties in the spirit of the Fraternity, or fails to attend meetings or functions frequently without a just reason, or acts in a manner contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church, the vision of the Fraternity or this constitution, or in order to preserve the authentic vision of the Fraternity, having consulted the competent ecclesiastical authority and without prejudice to canon 308 of the Code of Canon Law, the Council may dismiss him and appoint another to the office. The Council 8.1 The Council shall be the governing body of the Fraternity under the moderatorship and pastoral care of the Father Director. 8.2 Membership of the Council shall consist of those appointed by the Father Director, and persons nominated by officers of the Council, both subject to a simple vote and the Father Director’s approval. 8.3 With the exception of the Father Director, counsellors shall be appointed for a period of three years after which they may present themselves for re‐nomination. A counsellor may serve only two terms in succession, so having served two consecutive terms he/she is not eligible for re‐election until at least one term of three years has elapsed. In order to preserve the founding vision of the Fraternity, Founder members of the Council may sit on the Council indefinitely but only with the approval of the Father Director. 8.4 The Council shall include the following officers: (i) The Father Director (ii) Council President. (iii) Council Secretary. (iv) Council Treasurer. (v) Membership Secretary. (vi) Media Secretary. 8.5 The President of the Council is recognized as the assistant‐moderator under the Father Director and shall serve as the chairperson of the Council and preside over its meetings. Following the separation of the offices of Father Director and President in accordance with article 5.3, this Constitution envisages that both officers work together in a spirit of fraternal partnership for the sake of the Fraternity. The President shall be elected by the Council and the term of office is subject to the norm as established in article 8.10 of this constitution. In office, the President shall oversee the temporal running of the Fraternity in order to allow the Father Director the freedom to govern as moderator. 8.6 The responsibilities, obligations and duties of the other officers shall be agreed by the Council. 8.7 It is recommended that a financial advisor be a member of the Council; this position may be contiguous with the position of Treasurer. 8.8 Other positions may be allocated according to need to assist the work of the Council. If such positions are created they shall be known as Counsellor in Charge with the title of their position. 8.9 A Coordinator may be appointed, if required, to oversee the day to day administration of the Fraternity. He/she shall be elected by the Council by simple vote and subject to Father Director’s approval. The coordinator shall have a seat on the Council. The position of Coordinator may not be held by a member who already holds a position on the Council. Should a person appointed Coordinator already hold an office on the Council he/she must resign that office. 8.10 All Council officers, with exception of those offices held by the founder, shall be subject to election by the Council by simple vote. The manner of their election shall be decided by the Particular Norms. Their terms of office shall be for three years with due regard to article 8.3. If appointed for a second term, they may be re‐elected to their previous office or elected to another. 8.11 The duties of the Council shall be: (i) To govern the Fraternity under the moderatorship of the Father Director. (ii) To safeguard the spiritual foundation and motives of the Fraternity. (iii) To formulate policy and intitatives. (iv) To take such steps as will promote the interest and well‐being of the Fraternity. (v) To lay down Particular Norms for the governance of the Fraternity, Council, regional chapters and the works of the Fraternity. 8.12 With regard to voting rights: (i) Each member of the Council shall have one vote, with the casting vote reserved to the Father Director. A quorum shall consist of one third of the counselors, the number rounded up, but not less than three members. (ii) For most decisions a simple majority of the counsellors present will suffice for ratification. (iii) At the discretion of the Father Director, however, certain decisions may be subject to a formal vote in which a majority of two‐thirds of Council members present will be required for ratification. (iv) All matters with regard to the Particular Norms shall be subject to a formal vote. (v) If a decision made by the Council, or permission given by the Council is deemed by the competent ecclesiastical authority to be contrary to the law or Magisterium of the Catholic Church, that decision shall be void. 8.13 Council meetings may be called either by the Father Director or by the President. In extraordinary circumstances, with the consent of the Father Director and/or President, a meeting may be called by a quorum of counsellors. In the absence of the Father Director and President, the Council may elect a temporary chairperson to preside over a meeting. 8.14 Without prejudice to ecclesiastical law (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 308), for a grave reason or failure to perform the duties proper to the office in the spirit of the Fraternity, and at the discretion of the Father Director, an officer or counsellor may be dismissed from the Council. 8.15 Neither the Father Director nor the Council nor any regional chapter shall have power to modify in any way the primary object of the Fraternity or the main obligations of membership as provided for in articles 2 and 3.1. Regional Chapters 9.1 Regional chapters may be established to assist the work and growth of the Fraternity. These chapters are to be organized with a spirit of prayer and fraternity, and are subject to this constitution, the laws and norms of the Fraternity, to the Father Director and to the Council. 9.2 Chapters may only be established with the permission of the Council. Chapters must be formally aggregated to the Council by means of a vote of the Council and written consent. Criteria as to the establishment of a chapter are to be laid down in the Particular Norms. 9.3 The chapter shall be governed by a committee elected by the Dedicated Members of the Fraternity in the area. This election shall be held by secret ballot and subject to a simple majority. Those who serve on this committee must be Dedicated Members. 9.4 The committee shall not number more than eight members and not less than six. Members are elected for a period of three years after which they may present themselves for re‐election, but following two consecutive terms must step down and are not eligible for re‐election until at least one term of three years has elapsed. In extraordinary circumstances, or if necessity requires it, a member of the committee may be proposed for re‐election for a third consecutive term, but only with the written consent of the Council. 9.5 The chapter committee shall elect by simple majority the following officers: (i) President (ii) Secretary (iii) Treasurer 9.6 The duties of a chapter shall be: (i) To assist the Council in the governance of the area entrusted to the chapter. (ii) To support members of the Fraternity in their area. (iii) To promote the Fraternity in its mission, works and outreach. 9.7 Regional chapters shall present a formal report to the Council each year. 9.8 Regional chapters are to assist the Council financially in the administration of the Fraternity. The manner in which this contribution shall be made is to be laid out in the Particular Norms. 9.9 The Council shall make provision for an annual meeting of representatives from the chapters to discuss the work of the Fraternity. Officers from each chapter shall serve as the ordinary delegates to this meeting. If for a just reason officers cannot attend this meeting, extraordinary delegates shall be appointed by the chapter. 9.10 If a chapter in its conduct and/or spirit no longer adheres to the spirit or norms of the Fraternity in particular or the Church in general, or leads the Fraternity into disrepute through its actions, or if that chapter no longer adheres to the Council in matters including discipline, that chapter may be dissolved by the Council and, if possible, another erected to replace it. Membership 10. Membership of the Fraternity shall consist of two grades: Dedicated Members and Cooperators. 11.1 Dedicated Membership consists of fulfilling the following criteria: (i) Motivated by the love of Christ to love one’s neighbour as represented by the men and women in the theatrical and cinematic arts with a fraternal concern for their good and a disinterested love; and to offer oneself to Christ as a spiritual offering on their behalf in the spirit of laying down one’s life for one’s friend (Jn 15:13). (ii) To recite daily the set prayers in union with Fraternity as a whole. (iii) To offer, in a manner that is possible in each individual case, penances and sacrifices for the good of those prayed for in the spirit of Christ’s teaching on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. (iv) To cultivate a manner of intercessory awareness as a means of spiritually accompanying those prayed for. (v) To promote the Fraternity and to assist in its mission. (vi) In as far as it is possible, to establish prayer groups and recruit members and cooperators. 11.3 Dedicated Members must be enrolled as such in the Register of Dedicated Members held by the regional chapter if one such should exist, or in the Register of Dedicated Members held by the Council 11.4 Only baptised and confirmed Catholics over the age of 15 years are eligible for membership among the Dedicated Members. 11.5 Those who wish to be enrolled as Dedicated Members must do so by written application to the relevant regional chapter, or to the Council. 11.6 Those who can no longer serve as Dedicated Members must notify their regional chapter or the Council of their resignation and their name must be removed from the Register. 11.7 If a Dedicated Member fails to fulfill their obligations of membership, or if their conduct in the name of the Fraternity is unbecoming, or if for another grave reason, their membership may be dissolved by the relevant chapter or by the Council without prejudice to canon 308. 12.1 For those who are unable to assume the duties of membership, but yet wish to participate in the prayer and works of the Fraternity, the grade of Cooperator shall be recognized within the Fraternity. The duties of Cooperators shall be: (i) Motivated by the love of Christ to love one’s neighbour as represented by the men and women in the theatrical and cinematic arts with a fraternal concern for their good and a disinterested love. (ii) To recite daily the prayer to St Genesius for those in the theatrical and cinematic arts and the intentions of the Fraternity. (iii) To promote the Fraternity and to assist, as far as possible, in its mission. 12.2 Cooperators must be enrolled in the Register of Cooperators held by the regional chapter if one such should exist, or in the Register of Cooperators held by the Council. 12.3 The grade of Cooperator is open to all people of goodwill who wish to sincerely participate in the prayer of the Fraternity, respect its norms and adhere to the norms and laws of the ecclesial communion of the Catholic Church, particularly in regard to the Holy Eucharist. 13.1 While both Dedicated Members and Cooperators are considered part of the Fraternity, only Dedicated Members have voting rights in their respective chapters. 13.2 Without prejudice to ecclesiastical law (Code of Canon Law, canon 308) the Father Director with the advice of Council reserves the right to dissolve the membership of a member if for grave reasons they deem it necessary. Prayer Groups 14.1 It is highly recommended that members organize prayer groups as a means of promoting prayer and the work of the Fraternity. Prayer groups are open to Dedicated Members, Cooperators and others who wish to join the Fraternity in prayer and may serve as an initial point of contact with future members and cooperators. Prudence must dictate who shall be admitted to the prayer group and the format of these groups is subject to that agreed by Council and laid out in the Particular Norms. 14.2 Prayer groups of the Fraternity must be formally aggregated to the Council and are subject to this constitution, and the law and norms of the Fraternity. Where a regional chapter exists, the immediate governance of the prayer groups is reserved to it without prejudice to the Council and this constitution. 14.3 The leader of the prayer group must be a Dedicated Member of the Fraternity. It is highly recommended that a priest serve as a Spiritual Assistant to the prayer group to provide spiritual and pastoral guidance. 14.4 Prayer groups must adhere to Catholic teachings and practices, most particularly those norms which govern the liturgy. 14.5 If a prayer group in its conduct and/or spirit no longer adheres to the spirit or norms of the Fraternity in particular or the Church in general, or leads the Fraternity into disrepute through its actions or manner of conducting their meetings, that prayer group must be disaffiliated from the Fraternity by the chapter if one should exist and the Council notified, or by the Council directly. 14.6 Chapters shall make provision for an annual meeting of members of the prayer groups in the form of spiritual exercises as a means of maintaining Fraternity. Particular norms 15. Particular norms (cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 309) on how to implement this constitution and conduct the business of the Fraternity and the Council shall be drawn up by the Council and their ratification subject to a formal vote. Such norms shall not contradict nor compromise this constitution. Should such norms do so, they shall be void. Income & Property 16.1 The income and property of the Fraternity shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its main objectives as set out in this constitution. No portion of the Fraternity’s income and property shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividends, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the members of the Fraternity. No officer appointed to any office of the Fraternity shall be paid by salary or fees, or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth from the Fraternity. 16.2 With respect to article 16.1, nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by the Fraternity of: i) Reasonable and proper remuneration to any member of the Fraternity for any services rendered to the Fraternity ii) Interest at a rate not exceeding 5% per annum on money lent by any Officer or other member of the Fraternity to the Fraternity iii) Reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by any member of the Fraternity to the Fraternity iv) Reasonable and proper out of pocket expenses incurred by any Officer in connection with their attendance to any matter affecting the Fraternity. v) Fees, remuneration or other benefits in money or money’s worth to any company of which an officer may be a member holding not more than one hundredth part of the issued capital of such company. 16.3 If, upon the winding up or dissolution of the Fraternity there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and any liability, any property or finances whatsoever, they shall not be distributed among or paid to the members of the Fraternity, but such property or finances shall be given or transferred to the Holy See to be used by the Pontifical Council for Culture in its mission. 16.4 Annual accounts shall be kept by the Council and individual chapters and made available to the Revenue Commissioners on request, and to the competent ecclesiastical authority as laid down by Canon Law (cf canon 325). 16.5 With regard to this article concerning property and finance, in order to maintain charitable status and to conform to tax compliancy within the Republic of Ireland which is the seat of the Council, no additions, alterations or amendments shall be made to this particular article or any article which may effect charitable status or issues of taxation for the time being in force unless the same shall have been previously approved in writing by the Revenue Commissioners. Spiritual Matters 17.1 The feasts of the Fraternity shall be: (i) The memoria of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on the Saturday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost, which shall be celebrated as a feast within the Fraternity. (ii) A memoria celebrated in honour of St Genesius on 25th August. 17.2 In as far as possible the Council and regional chapters shall organize an annual retreat for Dedicated Members so as to renew them in the spirit of the Fraternity and to assist them in the living of their Christian lives. Amendments to the Constitution 18. Having regard to Articles 1, 2 and 3.1 and with respect to the aims of Fraternity, with the exception of the aforementioned articles 1, 2 and 3.1 which cannot be changed, and with due consideration to article 16.5, no amendment to this Constitution shall be made unless such an amendment has been approved by the Father Director, a two‐third majority of the Council and approved by a two‐third majority of all chapters voting on the resolution proposed.