Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 88 No. 3, 2018.
Review article
Bodies of Participation and Co‑responsibility at the Diocesan Level
Slavko Zec
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb
Abstract
Cooperation and co‑responsibility in the Church are based in the fundamental communion (communio) that exists among all Christ´s faithful. Communion and synodality are fundamental characteristics of the Church as the people of God and this was also clearly stated in the ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council. The realisation of these fundamental determinants is especially evident at the level of particular Church, the diocese. The article is, therefore, presenting canonical structures of cooperation and co‑responsibility at the diocesan level as the concrete bodies through which dialogue within the Church takes place. These structures, however, can also be present in otherforms of the particular Church that are legal equivalents of the diocese (Code of Canon Law, can. 368). This category refers to the following bodies: diocesan pastoral council, council of presbyters, assembly of counsellors, and diocesan economic council. However,one should also not disregard the diocesan synod as an important structure through whose gathering participation and cooperation are manifested. All these bodies are significant and important because through their opinions, counsels, and, occasionally, giving assent in accordance with the law, they are of help to the diocesan bishop in making decisions and governing the diocese. Hence, they contribute to the pastoral and every other kind of wellbeing of the particular Church. The conclusion emphasises that all bodies of cooperation and co‑responsibility at the diocesan level are needed and have their place and role in the life of the particular Church. They give their specific contribution to the process of decision making of the relevant ecclesial authorities that aim at the common wellbeing of the diocese and the whole Church.
Keywords
particular Church; arch/diocese; structures of participation and co‑responsibility; advisory and decisive vote; diocesan synod; pastoral council; council of presbyters; economic council; assembly of counsellors.
Hrčak ID:
207877
URI
Publication date:
8.11.2018.
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