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Home , Christus Dominus, College of Bishops

on the Pastoral Office of in the Church () Victor Clore http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651028_christus-dominus_en.html

The role of bishops in the church is treated in Chapter III of Lumen Gentium and there is also a specific decree on bishops. Let us begin by reviewing Lumen Gentium, Chapter III, “The Hierarchical Constitution of the Church.” In much of this section, and in the whole document on the bishops, the Council Fathers explicitly completed the unfinished work of the , which had promoted the infallibility of the of Rome, but left the bishops looking like feudal vassals of the . Chapter III is a reform of the ordained ministry, using the principle of ressourcement: going back to the source, ie, the organization of ministries found in the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, the early post-apostolic church (eg, the ) and the early Fathers. There we find three orders: Overseer, Presbyter and Deacon. The notion of an orderly authority in the Church has been assumed since its beginnings. The concept of the church as a hierarchy was promoted by Pseudo-Dionysius, a Syrian monk in late 400’s. As a “perfect society,” parallel to Feudal structure, people are grouped into two classes: clerics and laity (royals and commoners). Being initiated into the clerical estate by Tonsure was a prerequisite for ordained ministry. After Tonsure, there were four Minor Orders: Porter, Lector, Acolyte and Exorcist. There were three Major Orders: Subdeacon, Deacon and Priest – the highest step in the hierarchy of Orders. Technically each order had its origins as a separate ministry in the ancient church and could stand on its own. From the Middle Ages, the orders were simply stepping-stones during one’s training for the priesthood. In the Latin Rite, the Order of Deacon did not stand on its own; it was merely the last step to priesthood. Bishop was not a separate order; it was a jurisdictional authority that might be given to a priest. Lumen Gentium Chapter III What is Familiar? What is Developing? #18 “Following the First Vatican #19 Christ established the apostles “as a college or a permanent group over council, this declares … which he placed Peter, chosen from among them.” the doctrine of the of the #21 “The synod teaches that the fullness of the sacrament of order is institution, the perpetuity, the conferred by episcopal ; and this … is undoubtedly called the force and the nature of the supreme priesthood, the highest point of the ministry. … the sacred character sacred primacy of the Roman is so imprinted that bishops in an eminent and visible way take on the functions pontiff and of his infallible of Christ the teacher, shepherd and pontiff and act in his person.” . Continuing this #22 The person of each bishop makes the living Christ present in the local same undertaking, we declare community; and bishops exercise their ministry in their own right. All the the teaching concerning the bishops throughout the world live in communion with one another and with the bishops, successors of the Bishop of Rome in a bond of unity, charity and peace. They exercise their apostles, who, along with the ministry in collegiality, and when acting as one communion, they participate in successors of Peter, the vicar of the infallible teaching ministry of the Church. Christ and visible head of the whole church, govern the house The supreme power over the whole church which this college enjoys is of the living God.” solemnly exercised in an . #20 Through those appointed #23 Collegial unity can also be seen in the mutual relations of individual bishops by the apostles and bishops with their particular churches. The individual bishops are the visible through their successors right principle and foundation of unity in their particular churches. All bishops have a down to us, the apostolic duty to promote the unity of faith throughout the world… collaborating with one tradition is manifested and another, as members of the mystical body. safeguarded all over the world. In a manner similar to the Eastern rite Patriarchies, episcopal conferences today can make a manifold and fruitful contribution to the concrete application #22 However, the college or of the spirit of collegiality. body of bishops does not have authority unless this is #25 “The religious assent of the will and intellect is to be given in a special understood in terms of union way to the authentic teaching authority of the Roman pontiff even when he is with the Roman Pontiff, Peter’s not speaking ex cathedra; in such a way, that is, that his supreme teaching successor, as its head, and the authority is respectfully acknowledged, and sincere adherence given to power of this primacy is decisions he has delivered, in accordance with his manifest mind and will 1 maintained intact over all, which is communicated chiefly by the nature of the documents, by the frequent whether shepherds or faithful. repetition of the same doctrine or by the style of verbal expression.” There is never an ecumenical “Although individual bishops do not enjoy the prerogative of infallibility, council which is not confirmed nevertheless, maintaining the bond of communion among themselves and with or accepted by the successor of the successor of Peter, when in teaching authentically matters concerning faith Peter. It is the prerogative of and morals they agree about a judgment as one that has to be definitively held, the Roman pontiff to convoke they infallibly proclaim the teaching of Christ.” these councils, preside over “This infallibility, however, with which the divine redeemer willed his church to them and confirm them. be endowed in defining doctrine concerning faith or morals, extends just as far #23 In some parts of the world, as the deposit of divine revelation that is to be guarded as sacred and faithfully especially in the ancient expounded. patriarchal churches, clusters of #27 Bishops govern the churches as vicars and legates of Christ by counsel, particular churches form persuasion, example and authority. … “The pastoral office is completely matrices of faith, with their own entrusted to the bishops and they are not to be considered vicars of the disciplines, liturgies and Roman pontiffs, because they exercise a power that is proper to themselves as theological and spiritual presidents of the peoples they govern.” patrimony. Sent by the head of the household to govern his family, the bishop keeps #25 The Roman pontiff, head before his eyes the example of the good shepherd who came not to be served of the , enjoys but to serve. … Subject to weakness himself, the bishop can sympathize with infallibility when .. he proclaims those who are ignorant and who go astray. Let him not refuse to listen to his in a definitive act a doctrine on subjects whom he looks after as truly sons and daughters, whom he exhorts faith or morals. Therefore his cheerfully to cooperate with him. The faithful must adhere to the bishop as the definitions are rightly said to be church does to Christ, and as Christ does to the Father, so that all things may irreformable of themselves, and agree together through unity and abound to the glory of God. not from the consent of the church, for they are delivered #28.1 The divinely instituted ecclesiastical ministry is exercised in different with the assistance of the Holy orders by those who right from ancient times are called bishops, presbyters Spirit which was promised to and deacons. Presbyters depend on their bishop for the exercise of their him in blessed Peter; and power, but are united with them in priestly honor, consecrated in the image of therefore they have no need of Christ, the high and eternal priest, as true priests of the new testament, to approval from others nor do preach the gospel and nourish the faithful and celebrate divine worship. They they admit any appeal to any exercise their sacred function above all in the Eucharistic worship when, acting other judgment. in the person of Christ and proclaiming his mystery, they unite the prayers of the faithful to the sacrifice of the head, until the coming of the Lord… Finally, #27 The Holy Spirit preserves they labor in preaching and teaching, believing what they have read, teaching the form of government what they have believed and putting into practice what they have taught. established by Christ. Bishops #28.2 Presbyters are the counselors to the bishop, and cooperators with the personally exercise proper, Episcopal college; they serve the people of God in various ways in individual ordinary and immediate power congregations, but serving the whole church. “Because of this sharing in the in the name of Christ. priesthood and mission, priests are to recognize the bishop as truly their father #28.3 Presbyters are bound and reverently obey him. The bishop, for his part is to consider the priests his together in a close fraternity. cooperators as sons and friends.” #28.4 Like fathers in Christ, #28.5 Since the human race is moving towards civil, economic and social they are to look after the faithful unity, priests, with the bishops, should work to wipe out every cause of division whom they have spiritually so that the whole human race may be brought into the unity of God’s family. brought to birth by baptism and #29 Deacons are at the service of the people of God in the ministry of the teaching. They are to preside liturgy, the word and charity; … administer baptism solemnly, reserve and over their local community. distribute the Eucharist, bless marriages, take viaticum to the dying, read They are to present to the sacred scripture to the faithful, instruct and exhort the people, preside at the faithful and to unbelievers the worship and prayer of the faithful, administer sacramentals, preside at funerals face of a ministry that is truly and burials, and be dedicated to duties of charity and administration. The priestly and pastoral; they are to diaconate can for the future be restored as a proper and permanent grade of go in search of those who, the hierarchy. It is, however, the responsibility of the competent territorial though baptized, have fallen conferences of bishops … to decide with the approval of the supreme pontiff away from the practice of the himself whether and where it is opportune for such deacons to be appointed sacraments or even the faith. for the care of souls.

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Pastoral Office of Bishops (Christus Dominus) Chapter I Relation between Bishops and the Universal Church The introduction states the familiar doctrine that the Church is led by bishops, as successors of the Apostles, with the Roman Pontiff possessing supreme power and authority, to secure the common good of the universal church and the particular good of the individual churches. Bishops exercise teaching and pastoral government over the whole church when they act as one body, and they each take responsibility for a particular church. Occasionally a number of them will combine forces to care for certain needs for a group of churches. What Familiar? What is Developing? #4 Bishops, by #4 The same collegial power can be exercised by bishops throughout the world, provided reason of the head calls them to it or at least approves of or willingly accepts their action. sacramental #5 Representative bishops from different parts of the world will give more effective and consecration and helpful service to the supreme pontiff by meeting in a council called the Synod of Bishops. their hierarchical #6 Bishops should see that suitable ministers, religious and lay, are trained to work in the communion with missions, even dedicating their whole life to it. the head and members of the #9 Vatican offices should be reorganized to be more helpful to the bishops in our day, college, are especially the number of these offices, their titles, their procedures, the extent of their constituted authority and increased collaboration. members of the #10 Vatican offices and papal legates should be more international. More local bishops episcopal body. should be able to give input into these offices, and they should hear more from the laity. Chapter II Bishops and the Particular Churches or Familiar? What is Developing? #11 A #11 A diocese is called a particular church. The one, holy, catholic and apostolic church is truly is a section of present and at work in each particular church. the People of #12 Among the most important duties of a bishop is to proclaim to humanity the gospel of God. Christ, and expound the mystery of Christ among the faithful. “This involves those truths #14.1 Ensure ignorance of which is ignorance of Christ.” catechesis Let them expound the inestimable value of the human person; his or her freedom and bodily among vitality; the family and its stability; begetting and educating children; social structures and children, professions; labor and leisure; arts and technology; poverty and affluence; ownership and just youth, adults; distribution of material wealth; peace and war; effective fellowship of all peoples. make use of #13.1 Bishops present Christian doctrine in ways relevant to the needs of the times, showing principles of solicitude for everyone, believers or not, taking particular care of the poor and underprivileged. psychology #13.2 The church is to be on speaking terms with the human society in which it lives, seeking and good dialogue, presenting teachings in clear language, unaggressively and diplomatically, with due pedagogy. prudence combined with confidence, encouraging friendship. #17.1-3 Let #13.3 Let bishops use different media and social communication to make the gospel known. bishops foster #14.1 Make use of principles of psychology and good pedagogy. various forms of the #15.1 Bishops enjoy the fullness of orders, assisted by presbyters and deacons. apostolate, #15.2 Constantly attend to the faithful acquiring a deeper knowledge of the , especially lay living the Eucharist, forming one closely-knit body united in the love of Christ. apostolate. #16.1 Bishops should be in the midst of their flock as one who serves, good shepherds, true #25-26 Since fathers in one family, that all may live and work together in a union of charity. the good of #16.3-4 Bishops care for priests’ well-being, with sympathetic understanding and practical help. the Lord’s F v#16.5 Bishops must be better prepared to look after the welfare of all the faithful, no matter Flock is what age, condition or nationality; “they must respect the place proper to their faithful in the always the affairs of the church, acknowledging also their duty and right to work actively for the building up supreme of the mystical body of Christ.” concern, #16.6 Bishops foster ecumenism among Christians and friendly relations with the non-baptized. auxiliary bishops may #19.1 Bishops should enjoy full and perfect freedom from civil authorities in their duties. be employed. #19.2 Bishops work with public authorities to promote social and civil progress and prosperity. 3

#28-29 #20 Civil authorities no longer have any right to interfere with appointment of bishops. Diocesan #21 Bishops should retire or resign from office when, due to advancing years or sickness, they presbyters are no longer capable of carrying on the difficult work. hold the most #22-23 Diocesan boundaries should be examined and re-drawn to better fit demographic important part realities. Each diocese should have available at least a sufficient number of well-qualified clergy of the care of to attend properly to the needs of the people of God. Accommodation should be made to souls, being respond to the needs of different nationalities and languages. placed at the #24 Episcopal conferences and diocesan regions should be consulted to meet these needs. service of a specific #27 Among those who cooperate with a bishop in administration are the presbyters who form section of the his senate or council, , or curia. These institutions should be updated and church [a reformed. A diocese should have a pastoral council, with clergy, religious and laity participating. ]. The #28 All presbyters, diocesan and religious, share with the bishop in the exercise of the one bishop assigns priesthood of Christ, and are therefore cooperators in the episcopal order. The relationship the priests to between the bishop and the diocesan priests is held together by the bond of supernatural best distribute charity, with a union of wills between priests and bishop making the pastoral work more fruitful. the sacred #30 The ministry of priests helps individual members of the faithful experience the unity of the ministry universal church; moreover, parishes should have a missionary spirit, making sure that all among the groups in a parish are served. Community life among the priests serving a parish is encouraged. whole church. The celebration of the Eucharist is the heart and soul of the parish community life. Parish priests Some priests are called to know their people, visiting them personally, tending to the young, the poor, the sick. are assigned They should give special support to working people. They encourage the faithful to be engaged to diocesan in the lay apostolate. work that #31 Bishops should base their assignments of priests not only by their knowledge of the faith, transcends but also their piety, apostolic zeal and other pastoral gifts. Each parish priest should enjoy that parish stability of tenure of office which the good of souls requires. Parish priests who, because of boundaries. advancing age or sickness should be requested to resign their office when necessary. The bishop cares for the appropriate maintenance of those who retire. #32 The welfare of souls should be the deciding factor in determining or reviewing the creation or the suppression of parishes, which the bishop will carry out by his own authority. #33-35 Priests in are also cooperators in the episcopal order, and are said to belong to the clergy of a diocese, while remaining faithful to the observance of their own rule and relations to their own superiors.

Chapter III Cooperation of Bishops for the Common Good of a Number of Churches What is Familiar? What is Developing? #39-40 Ecclesiastical provinces #36 Bishops, as heads of diverse particular churches, should employ facilitate productive relations , provincial councils and plenary councils to provide for the increase among bishops in neighboring of faith among the various churches. churches. Two or more provinces #37-38 It is of the utmost importance that, throughout the world, episcopal may be joined into ecclesiastical conferences should unite the bishops of each nation. All ordinaries and regions. coadjutors have a deliberative vote, but not titular bishops or papal legates. #42 Certain pastoral works can Decisions of an have binding force if the matter is be placed under joint control of a prescribed by common law or is convened by a mandate from the apostolic province, region or national see, with at least 2/3 assent, and the decision is approved by the apostolic conference [eg CRS and CHD]. see. #43 Each nation should have a #44 Directories for pastoral work, such as catechetics, may be written and military vicariate for the care of published by and for regional provinces and national conferences. military personnel.

What is the impact of this document on the Catholic experience today?

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