Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 72 No. 2-3, 2002.
Pregledni rad
Leadership and Presiders of the Church as a Form of Ministry
Ivan Karlić
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
One of the founding features of the Catholic Church is its hierarchical structure which we believe and say is what its founder, Jesus Christ himself wanted, and that it was already present in the first Christian community in Jerusalem: following the »descent« of the Holy Spirit on the first community, we have the faithful, bishops (apostles) and a supreme head (Peter; cf. Ac: 15-22; 20-28). When referring to the hierarchy of the Church, it is worthwhile freeing ourselves of the prejudices that this refers to a »privileged class«. The original meaning of hierarchy is the order in which individuals participate in something. There are no higher or lower classes in the Church but ministries and bodies with various degrees of responsibility. In this way the Church episcopacy should be comprehended as part of Church hierarchy.
The Second Vatican Council dedicated a great deal of attention and space to the ministry and mission of bishops in the church and particularly in the Christus Dominus on the pastoral service of bishops in the Church and the world. In the Lumen gentium and other documents the Council speaks about, advises and interprets the role of bishops and their ministry. The Second Vatican Council was followed by many synods and assemblies of bishops in an attempt to find the best paths along which the leaders of the Church could revive and realise their mission and their ministry of preaching, dedication and administration. Last year, yet another Synod was held in Rome (30 September - 27 October 2001), on the topic of »The Bishop as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for Hope in the World«. The fundamental question that the Synod posed itself was: what sort of bishop does the Church need in the wake of today's challenges in the Church itself and the world.
The human and spiritual figure of the Church leadership and heads (i.e. bishops) must by nature reflect the figure and profile of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. As a teacher (announcer), a bishop must above all be a servant-minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So that he can achieve his fundamental mission he himself must be a man of faith and prayer, poor for the sake of the Kingdom, to love the poor, to promote justice, peace and dialogue. As an administrator, a bishop does not have power nor property but a servant and pastor who commits himself to serving his flock. As an advocate, a bishop is not »just another« pious believer but - because of his nature and mission - he needs to develop unity with God's people, with priests and the clergy and with his colleagues (bishops) and apostles and to relay the spirituality of unity with priests and other faithful.
A bishop's mission and ministry in the Church today and the world is faced with various challenges which cannot be avoided but require a clear and resolute conviction based and inspired on love and faith in God, the Church and man (love for mankind). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a continuing challenge for all; it is in the light of the Gospel that the heads and leaders of the Church are invited to observe and judge themselves first of all, and then to respond to contemporary challenges such as: denial of the living God and His presence, the question of justice, peace and dialogue, contemporary globalisation, war conflicts and poverty, the threat to the family, concern for the life and dignity of man...Faithful to their calling and mission, granted from Jesus Christ, the leadership and heads of the Church, always a new need to attempt to introduce and inject Christ and Christian hope that he brings and guarantees, to the people and the entire world.
Ključne riječi
Hrčak ID:
28941
URI
Datum izdavanja:
12.2.2003.
Posjeta: 1.698 *