Collegiality Theme of Synod Discussions

VATICAN, Oct 9, 01 (CWNews.com) - The theme of collegial governance was the main topic of discussion during the latest sessions of the Synod of Bishops.

Four presidents of episcopal conferences-- Bishop Jayme Henrique Chemello of Brazil, and Cardinals Camillo Ruini of Italy, Karl Lehmann of Germany, and Antonio Rouco Varela of Spain-- made collegiality the principal focus of their interventions at general congregations. Bishop Chemello asked whether some functions of the Roman Curia could be delegated to the bishops' conferences. Recognizing that the Curia operate under the authority of the Roman Pontiff, the Brazilian bishop pointed out that "the Pope freely chooses the bishops," and that some greater decentralization of authority might be possible.

Cardinal Ruini made the point that the Second Vatican Council had taken place at a time when "acknowledgment of the authority in the Church seemed to be taken for granted and generally agreed upon." However, the cultural revolution that soon followed "challenged authority at all levels of civil as well as ecclesial life." The Italian prelate suggested that the concept of collegiality was a "response in advance," showing how authority could be protected and exercised.

Cardinal Lehmann added that a bishop's role involves discernment of how to proclaim the Gospel in a secular world. The bishop's challenge, he said, is to promote ecumenical dialogue and place the Christian message in a form that is attractive to all, without "going on the defensive in response to the challenges of modernity."

Cardinal Rouco Varela sounded a different note, pointing out that there have been frequent discussions of episcopal collegiality in the years since the Council, but these questions of authority and administration do not address the most fundamental problems. Since Vatican II, he said, "there have been many fruits of theoretical and practical development of collegiality within the structural realities. One has to ask whether the same has happened with the principle of sacramentality." He went on to ask whether the Church of the early 21st century could boast of "growth in sanctity of all her members, greater vigor and apostolic and missionary zeal, and growth in the evangelization and sanctification of the temporal order."

Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs
9. oktober 2001