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Episcopal Conference |
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Episcopal conferences are periodic assemblies of the bishops of one region or country jointly exercising certain pastoral offices on behalf of the Christian faithful of that territory. Already before Vatican Council II they or their equivalent existed in many countries, where bishops gathered together to discuss matters of interdiocesan interest and determine common policy. The Council recommended their establishment everywhere (Decree on the Bishops’ Pastoral Office in the Church, Christus Dominus, 37). Their purpose is to facilitate exchanges of experience among the bishops involved, and to standardize pastoral and administrative practices so as to further the Church’s mission toward the world (cf. Canon 447). As institutions of ecclesiastical origin, the episcopal conferences are not intermediate organs of government between each diocesan bishop and the Pope. It is to the Roman Pontiff, and not to the conference, that each bishop is directly responsible. The conferences can give decrees in certain matters determined by law; in order to be binding these decrees must (along with other conditions) be approved by the Holy See (Canons 455.1 and 455.2). They cannot act in the name of all the bishops involved unless all have given their consent (Canon 455.4). Evidently, given a proper ecclesial spirit on all sides, a local bishop will not lightly ignore recommendations of the episcopal conference that contribute to true Catholic unity and legitimate diversity. It should be noted, too, that the nature and authority of episcopal conferences are today subjects of continuing theological reflection.
Advisory bodies or committees set up by an episcopal conference carry out important tasks of coordination, information, and research. However, they have no jurisdiction over the areas covered by the conference. See: Bishop; Church, Nature, Origin, and Structure of; Collegiality; Pope. |
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