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They can contribute a wide range of skills beyond those found within the members of the institute (for example legal skills, accountancy and nancial planning skills, management consultancy and investment skills)
They can provide longer term continuity
However, there might be disadvantages of having lay trustees:
They may seek to overturn the established institute of events, particularly making it dif cult for the institute to fund religious activities or training which they might consider peripheral to the charity’s mission
They may fail to understand the distinction between the charity and the institute and/or seek to interfere in the life of the institute and its internal governance
They may have a different sense of purpose or mission to the institute
They may not be sympathetic to the needs and challenges of religious life
They are not members of the “family” who have grown together as members of the institute and therefore will not have picked up subconsciously the deep knowledge of the institute, its people and its purpose
It is therefore important to ensure that the mechanism used to appoint lay trustees provides for:
The views of the religious to be taken into account and afforded the dignity they deserve
The catholic nature and ethos of the charity to be preserved and remain a lasting legacy
Changes that are consistent with the principles of canon law ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATIVES
TO APPOINTING LAY TRUSTEES?
We appreciate that appointing lay trustees is often seen as a last resort, something to be avoided at all costs. We understand that view and, as we have said above, it is a very personal decision for all involved.
18 Chapter 2
