Missionary institutes, which would seem to include the main varieties of religious orders established in mission territory, as well as outposts staffed by permanent or temporary, religious or lay, personnel–these folks will need to collaborate with the local bishop:
17. The Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith after consultation with episcopal conferences and missionary institutes should as soon as possible outline general principles according to which agreements should be made between the local Ordinaries and missionary institutes to govern their mutual relations. (Ad Gentes 32)
In making these agreements the continuance of missionary activity and the needs of the institutes are to be taken into account.
The hope is not good relations for the sake of making nice, but the real pastoral needs of the people and the good of the apostolate in that regard.
