Synod participants on synodity debate on restoring “certain doctrinal competences” to episcopates

In the mediate of the Synod on Synodality, its participants focus on the issues of “the doctrinal competence” of national episcopates. In another words, the question is how far could bishops of individual countries interfere in doctrine, adapting it to the local context.

On 16 October, Paolo Rufus, an Italian laywoman who serves as the prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, explained at a press conference that the current discussions of the synod participants include relations between local churches, the request for communion in the episcopals themselves and between conferences of bishops from different countries, and the anticipation of "restored doctrinal competences" to bishop conferences. Rufus pointed out that the discussion afraid the overall function of bishop conferences at all levels and the request to preserve the unity of the Church among differences.

Synod participants search “consensus” in these matters.

The Italian priest Dario Vitali of the Diocese of Velletri-Segni, who is the coordinator of theological experts of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, doctor of ecclesiology and lecturer of ecclesiology at the Pontifical University of Gregorian, developed the question of "the doctrinal competence" of episcopates. This issue is intended to rise “great interest in the Synod Chamber” and “from all sides either the desire to decision forward in this respect, or the fear of going in that direction”, he pointed out.

The problem with "doctoral competences" is that allowing contextualisation to adapt doctrinal teaching to local needs can consequence in distortions and misinterpretations of the doctrine of the Church, deepening confusion and destroying unity.

The Cruxnow.com portal recalls that in May 1998 Pope John Paul II published 2 documents: motu proprio "Apostolos Suos" and its accompanying apostolic letter "Ad Tuendam Fidem", which "essentially took distant all teaching authority, including doctrinal competence, from bishops' conferences".

Both papers were in fact the work of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was at the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, seeking to strengthen the unity of the doctrine teaching of the Church.

On Wednesday Vitali referred to these documents. He noted that the “Apostolos Suos” “essentially took distant all competence from the bishops’ conferences, leaving them as a pastoral entity”. Paragraph 21 of the paper maintains a certain level of "doctoral competence". It states that “the joint exercise of the bishop’s ministry besides includes a doctrinal function. The Code of Canon Law formulates a fundamental rule in this field: «Although bishops, who stay in communion with the head of the College and members, whether alone or gathered at the Episcopal Conferences or at the peculiar synods, do not have infallibility in teaching, they are, however, actual teachers and masters of religion in respect of the faithful entrusted to them. The faithful are obliged to show spiritual obedience to this authentic proclamation of their bishops». In addition to this general principle, the Code contains more circumstantial provisions defining certain doctrinal competences of the Episcopal Conference, specified as “the issue of catechisms for its own territory, after prior approval of the Holy See” and the approval of the editions of the books of Scripture and their translations.”

He goes on to say: “The consistent voice of the bishops of a peculiar territory, who, in communion with the Bishop of Rome, proclaim together Catholic fact in the field of religion or morals, can talk more effectively to their people and aid the faithful to accept their teaching with spiritual obedience of the spirit. By faithfully exercising their teaching role, the bishops service God’s word, which is subject to their teaching, perceive godly to it, keep it holy and teach it faithfully, so that the faithful can accept it as best as possible. And since the teaching of religion is the common good of the full Church and the bond of its communion, the bishops associated with the Episcopal Conference search first and foremost to follow the Magisterium of the Universal Church and to pass it on in an appropriate manner to the people who have been entrusted to them."

Vitali, commenting on these documents, pointed out that the Bishops' conferences "have no capacity to make dogmas", but could "remarkably adapt, as set out in the Second Vatican Council, the language to this context and offer answers to the problems that arise from this context".

The questions of the "doctoral competence" of the Episcopal Conferences were besides included in the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Francis of 2022 "Predicatae Evangelium", where mention is made to "healthy decentralisation".

Here, Vitali explained that it is about "some competences" being "returned to Episcopal conferences on issues that they know well". It is even a “obligation”. The theologian added that "it is crucial to remind (...) that bishops have competence in everything related to doctrine."

Although many things are reserved for the Pope to preserve unity, “every bishop in his church can take care of all matters and has a duty, not just ability, to deal with all matters for the benefit of the faithful.”

This besides includes "the anticipation of formulating and sharing a proposal in the doctrinal key, which will then have pastoral consequences in accompanying people on the journey".

Synod experts will present a number of concrete solutions for the Church. They are to propose changes to canon law on the establishment of pastoral councils in parishes and another akin structures, which will be included in the final synod final document. In addition, they will propose proposals on the question of "doctoral competence" of the Bishops' Conference.

Pope Francis will yet decide to reconstruct the wider "doctoral competence" of local episcopal conferences. If they adhere to the proposal, then it would mean a departure from Benedict XVI's legacy.

However, if there is no "consensus" in this matter, the Pope can refrain from making changes in this area.

Source: Cruxnow.com, opoka.org

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