HOW TO JOIN

The IMS

How to join the International Missionary Society

The International Missionary Benefit Society is open to any institute, diocese, association of faithful and other Christian religious communities “…protecting the health of their members”. It offers the possibility for superiors and bishops to fulfil their canonical obligation, by protecting their members.

 

Some explanations on membership

  • The Groups are free to choose their Section of reference in the light of certain conditions, such as the language of correspondence or the currency of payment… (see Article 46 of the Internal Rules).
  • Membership is collective: the religious communities undertake to enrol, as beneficiaries, all the persons under their authority.
    As an exception, persons who benefit from sufficient cover for their healthcare costs, either because of where they exercise their mission, or because of their nationality, or because at the same time they have a professional activity which enables them to have access to sufficient cover, should not be enrolled.
  • Subscription begins on 1 January, 1 March, 1 July or 1 October.
  • Cancellation takes place on 1 January or 1 July.

 

The Central Office and the IMS sections  are available to assist the communities in deciding what they wish to do and the procedures they need to take, around a 5-step membership process.

THE MEMBERSHIP PROCESS

Step 1

The Canonical authority* (or Church leader for non-Catholics) contacts the IMS informing it of its intention to join. It can join a local IMS section or the Central Office.
The initial questions frequently asked by the person in charge are answered in the IMS Services Guide:

  • Where are the IMS Sections located?
  • In each Section, what currencies can I use to pay my contributions and receive assistance?
  • What languages are spoken in each Section?
  • What is each Option (how much are the contributions for which assistance)?
  • What Options are available in different countries?

*Superior General for an Institute, Bishop for a Diocese, Provincial for a Province, Moderator/manager for an Association of the faithful.

Step 2

The Canonical authority designates a Group manager who is the intermediary between the beneficiary members and the reference Section. Their name is indicated on the Group membership form downloadable from the site.

Their role is paramount:

  • Vigilance regarding the collective enrolment of the members
  • Receipt of calls for contributions from the Section and their payment
  • Information to community members about their IMS rights
  • Centralisation of member invoices for verification and dispatch from the Extranet
  • Receipt of IMS assistance

Step 3

The Group Manager lists the members of their community who they will be registering, completing the Group membership form. They then send it to the Central Office or IMS Section , with the bank account identification statement.

Step 4

On receipt of the membership form, the IMS creates the Group.

Step 5

In order to finalise enrolment and to benefit from the rights, the Canonical Authority* receives the call for contributions for the members of his Group. He pays their contributions to MSH.
The amounts are listed in the Services Guide and HERE.

DOWNLOAD THE MEMBERSHIP FORM