Assemblies of Hierarchs and Conferences of Bishops: A Comparative Study By Alexander M Laschuk A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Canon Law, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Canon Law Ottawa, Canada Saint Paul University 2016 © Alexander Laschuk, Ottawa, Canada, 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................. v ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................................... vi GENERAL INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF EPISCOPAL COLLEGIALITY Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Theological Foundations of Collegiality .................................................................... 6 1.1.1 Lumen gentium ................................................................................................ 9 1.1.2 The 1964 Nota explicativa praevia ............................................................... 14 1.1.3 Christus Dominus ......................................................................................... 17 1.1.4 Regional Expressions of Collegiality ........................................................... 19 1.1.5 Conclusions .................................................................................................. 27 1.2 Historical Foundations for Collegiality in the Church ......................................... 29 1.2.1 Local Councils .............................................................................................. 30 1.2.2 The Synod of Bishops of a Patriarchal Church ............................................. 35 1.2.3 Ecumenical Councils .................................................................................... 39 1.2.4 Conclusions ................................................................................................... 42 1.3 Collegial Structures in the ius vigens ....................................................................... 43 1.3.1 Collegial Structures Common to the CIC and CCEO ................................... 47 1.3.1.1 Ecumenical Councils .................................................................... 47 1.3.1.2 Other Collegial Acts ...................................................................... 52 1.3.1.3 Conclusions .................................................................................... 54 1.3.2 Collegial Structures Restricted to the CIC .................................................... 54 1.3.2.1 Particular Councils (Plenary and Provincial) ................................ 55 1.3.2.2 Episcopal Conferences ................................................................... 59 1.3.2.3 Conclusions .................................................................................... 65 1.3.3 Collegial Structures Restricted to the CCEO ................................................ 65 1.3.3.1 Synod of Bishops ........................................................................... 68 1.3.3.2 Council of Hierarchs ...................................................................... 71 1.3.3.3 Assemblies of Hierarchs ................................................................ 74 1.3.3.4 Conclusions .................................................................................... 76 1.3.4 Conclusions ................................................................................................... 76 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 77 i ii 2 – CONFERENCES OF BISHOPS IN THE 1983 CODEX IURIS CANONICI Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 79 2.1 Legislative History of Canons 447-459 of the 1983 CIC ......................................... 80 2.1.1 1977 Schema de populo Dei ......................................................................... 80 2.1.2 1980 Schema Codicis iuris canonici ............................................................. 88 2.1.3 1982 Codicis iuris canonici: Schema novissimum ........................................ 97 2.2 Analysis of Canons 447-459 of the 1983 CIC ......................................................... 100 2.2.1 The Nature of Episcopal Conferences ........................................................ 100 2.2.2 Membership of Episcopal Conferences ...................................................... 102 2.2.2.1 Territory for Membership in Episcopal Conferences .................. 102 2.2.2.2 Those Who Have Membership in Episcopal Conferences .......... 104 2.2.2.3 Conclusions .................................................................................. 107 2.2.3 Establishment of Episcopal Conferences ................................................... 108 2.2.4 Statutes of Episcopal Conferences .............................................................. 109 2.2.4.1 Requirements for Statutes ............................................................ 109 2.2.4.2 Offices of the Episcopal Conference .......................................... 113 2.2.4.3 Conclusions .................................................................................. 115 2.2.5 Meetings of Episcopal Conferences ............................................................ 115 2.2.5.1 Timing of Meetings ...................................................................... 116 2.2.5.2 Voting Status of those Present at Meetings ................................. 116 2.2.5.3 Decisions of the Conference ........................................................ 118 2.2.5.4 Responsibilities of Conference Officers ..................................... 126 2.2.5.5 Conclusions .................................................................................. 129 2.2.6 Inter-Conference Collaboration ................................................................. 130 2.2.7 Conclusions ................................................................................................. 133 Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 135 3 – ASSEMBLIES OF HIERARCHS OF SEVERAL CHURCHES SUI IURIS Introduction .................................................................................................................... 137 3.1 Foundations for Assemblies of Hierarchs .............................................................. 138 3.1.1 The Church sui iuris .................................................................................... 138 3.1.2 One Region, Multiple Hierarchies .............................................................. 146 3.1.2.1 One Church, One Bishop ............................................................. 146 3.1.2.2 Emergence of Overlapping Hierarchies ....................................... 149 3.1.2.3 Conclusions ................................................................................. 153 3.1.3 Collaborative Bodies for Multiple Churches sui iuris ................................ 153 3.1.4 Conclusions ................................................................................................ 161 iii 3.2 CCEO Canon 322 ..................................................................................................... 162 3.2.1 Legislative History of CCEO Canon 322 ................................................... 162 3.2.1.1 1984 Schema canonum de constitutione hierarchica Ecclesiarum orientalium ................................................................................... 163 3.2.1.2 1986 Schema Codicis iuris canonici orientalis ............................ 168 3.2.2 Commentary on CCEO Canon 322 ............................................................. 171 3.2.3 Conclusions ................................................................................................. 184 Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 185 4 – COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTER-ECCLESIAL COLLABORATION Introduction .................................................................................................................... 188 4.1 Comparative Analysis of Assemblies of Hierarchs and Conferences of Bishops .................................................................................................................... 188 4.1.1 Principles of Comparative Law .................................................................. 189 4.1.2 Comparative Law Applied: Analysis of Conferences and Assemblies ...... 199 4.1.2.1 Nature and Function of Conferences and Assemblies ................. 199 4.1.2.2 Establishment of Conferences and Assemblies ........................... 200 4.1.2.3 Membership of Conferences and Assemblies .............................. 203 4.1.2.4 Statutes of Conferences and Assemblies ..................................... 207 4.1.2.5 Decisions of Conferences and Assemblies .................................. 209 4.1.2.6 Responsibilities of Officers in Conferences and Assemblies ...... 212 4.1.2.7 Conclusions .................................................................................. 213 4.1.3 Conclusions ................................................................................................