Das Motu Proprio Communis vita

While some forms of Catholic religious life are granted far-reaching individuality, members of Catholic religious institutes and societies of apostolic life are obliged to live in community. Therefore, the absence of a member outside the canonical boundaries is an illegitimate act which the legislator must punish under criminal law.
With the Motu proprio Communis vita, Pope Francis created the corresponding legal basis. Such ecclesiastical legislation requires a canonical classification as well as a critical commentary against the background of the previous legal situation.