Will episcopals gain their own doctrinal authority and be able to impose the will of most individual bishops? Leon XIV spoke about this case in a fresh book interview with Elise Ann Allen.
This is simply a subject widely discussed at the Synod about Synodality. At that time, proposals were made to give episcopals fresh competences, or even a certain doctrinal authority.
The beginning of the large debate on this subject was already announced by Francis in the Adhortation Evangelii Gaudium of 2013, writing that the Second Vatican Council wanted to build episcopals, but the thing was not realized, whereas it could be about "the authentic doctrinal authority". It was an component of his programming “decentralisation” of the Church.
At the Synod of Synodality there was an thought to give this a certain legal form. 1 of the records of synodical documents, for example, said that episcopals could make binding decisions, to which bishops active in their making would be obliged to execute – even if they voted against. Critics pointed out that this was a very dangerous idea, due to the fact that it could violate the apostolic structure of the Church. It was besides feared that episcopals would gain besides much competence, starting the process of manipulating the doctrinal or moral doctrine of the Church.
What did Leon XIV say about this?
– A large theological debate has been taking place on this subject since the Second Vatican Council, for the Apostles' successor is all single bishop, not an episcopal conference. He stressed.
As he stated, there is simply a large "tense" in the discussion about the anticipation of forcing the bishop to execute the will of the episcopate. In his opinion, the ongoing synodical debate may lead to episcopals gaining a “greater function in trying to build consensus among bishops and making decisions that will aid the life of the Church in a given region or country”.
He besides pointed out that there was a very intense dispute over the doctrinal authority of episcopates. In this case, he stressed the differences even between translations of synodical documents.
– Some English-speaking bishops were very dissatisfied, reasoning that bishops in northern Europe [Leon XIV thus defines Europe north of the Alps—ed.] could decide to change the doctrine of the Church on divorce and remarriage, homosexual relations, or polygamy. The second issue was raised by the bishops of Africa, due to problems that cannot be easy reconciled with the formal doctrine of the Church – he said.
As he added, this case has not yet been closed, as the episcopals have developed and it is essential to find what function they can play today.
The Pope did not so make any decision, leaving the substance for further debate. This will take place again in the synod process, which is to last at least until 2028.
Sources: PCh24, Crux
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