Las Congregaciones religiosas femeninas en el XIX. El tema de la obtención de su nuevo estatuto jurídico canónico y su interés historiográfico

Abstract

Feminine religious Congregations in the 19th century. The achievement of a new canonical juridical status and its historiographic significance

The so-called “new” feminine religious congregations of the 19th century are highly innovative, undoubtedly as regard women’s religious life, but also in terms of their presence in the Catholic society and their labour as well as personal em- powerment. The article explores a significant — although neglected — issue regarding these important institutions. It is the long and complex process aimed at obtaining a new juridical and canonical status from Rome in the 19th century. The lengthy debate that took place between congregations and the two poles of Rome is tackled. These two poles are the clerical establishment, who encouraged a centralization and homogenization policy on the one hand, and on the other hand the congregations committed to their consolidation and expansion in a society in transition. As a result, substantial portions of the rules and constitutions of this congregations were codified.

Received: 28-10-2009