Congregation of diocesan right
A Congregation of diocesan right is a type of religious congregation codified by the Canon [law (Catholic Church)|laws of the Catholic church], wherein the congregation is under the authority of a particular local bishop, rather than that of the pope. A congregation responsible directly to the pope is a congregation of pontifical right. Most of the major religious orders are congregations of pontifical right.
The major types of religious associations recognized by canon law are:
1. Public Association of the Faithful
2. Institutes of Consecrated Life
- a. Institute of diocesan right
- b. Institute of pontifical right