How is a personal prelature created?
It is the Church itself, represented by the Pope, that makes the decision to create a personal prelature, after consulting the Bishops’ Conferences, in order to serve souls more effectively. Naturally this decision requires the existence of the elements that constitute a personal prelature: a community of faithful, presided over by a prelate, with a clergy that assists him in his pastoral task, and a specific ecclesial purpose.
How long have personal prelatures existed in the Church?
Although similar personal hierarchical structures already existed (such as military vicariates), the juridical figure of the personal prelature is the result of an apostolic desire of the Second Vatican Council that later took form in the present Code of Canon Law. The first to be erected was the prelature of Opus Dei, in the Apostolic Constitution Ut sit of John Paul II, on November 28, 1982.
How is it possible that it requires a specific vocation to be a member of a prelature?
Naturally this vocational requirement is not essential to personal prelatures, which could be based on very diverse circumstances, usually linked to social bonds among its faithful.
Video: Making Christ known
Welcome everyone, show them affection, do not reject anyone. So advised Opus Dei’s founder for those who want to imitate Christ, because our Lord did not reject anyone (Weekly Video 1’31”).
What is the mission of the prelature of Opus Dei? What is special about this mission that is not found in other Church entities?
The mission of the prelature of Opus Dei is the same salvific mission as that of the whole Church, carried out in conformity with a specific charism of sanctification and apostolate in professional work and in the context of ordinary life.
Does Opus Dei have greater autonomy now that it is a prelature. Can one speak of Opus Dei as a church within the Church?
No part of the Church constitutes "a church within the Church."
How do personal prelatures resemble and how do they differ from dioceses, religious orders and movements?
One should keep in mind that all ecclesial realities share in the life and purpose of the one Church. Therefore, all are called to live in the same ecclesial communion and to foster mutual affection.
What was Opus Dei before it became a prelature? How did the 1950 statutes differ from the present ones?
From its foundation on October 2, 1928, Opus Dei was already in essence, although in an embryonic state, the same as we see it today: a part of the Church, made up of faithful and structured hierarchically around a head who was at first the founder, St. Josemaría Escrivá, a priest.
Do the laity belong to the prelature, or only the priests?
Both belong equally to the prelature.
Opus Dei and the dioceses
At the institutional level, what is Opus Dei’s relationship with the dioceses? Is its pastoral work carried out in accord with religious institutions and other ecclesial entities?