CCRS Ecclesiology:What does it mean for the
Church to be Church?
Session IIIRevd Dr Gareth Leyshon
Archdiocese of Cardiff
CCRS Ecclesiology
Session III:The Diocese and the Bishops’
ConferenceThe Church as Servant of the WorldThe Communion of Saints
The Diocese
The Diocese Incardination of Priests Regulates Catholic Education Marriage Tribunal Boundaries of Parishes
The Bishops’ Conference
Departments of CBCEWCatholic Education and FormationChristian Life and WorshipChristian Responsibility and CitizenshipDialogue and UnityEvangelisation and CatechesisInternational Affairs - particular bishops speak on their
designated issues
Powers of the Conference
Clerical Dress Permanent Deacons Liturgical Books Holy Days of Obligation Fasting and Abstinence
TASK 4
Which Dulles models apply to
the media examples you have brought?
TASK 4
Visible InstitutionMystical CommunionSacrament of ChristServant of the WorldHerald of the Gospel
Gaudium et Spes The mission of the church in
the world today... A “pastoral constitution” Introductory material#1-#3 The Church cares about
humanity#4-#10 The current state of the
world.
Gaudium et Spes Part I: The Church & Man’s Calling Chapter I – Human DignityHuman beings are body and soul, in
God’s image but fallen, intelligent, capable of faith and of conscience.
Human destiny is to die, be judged by God, and receive eternal life.
Atheism is common, and denies this.
Gaudium et Spes Part I: The Church & Man’s Calling Chapter II – Community of MankindFundamental commandment is love
of God and neighbour, inseperable.We live in interdependent societies –
the family and the state.#27-29 a KEY PASSAGE
Free involvement in politics and co-operation in civil life is essential.
Gaudium et Spes Part I: The Church & Man’s Calling Chapter III – Human ActivityHow do we use our technological
capability responsibly – globally?#36 – Science cannot conflict with
God, but technical decisions are always subject to moral norms.
Improving this world is not our ultimate goal – one day it will end.
Gaudium et Spes Part I: The Church & Man’s
Calling Chapter IV – Church in Modern
World#42-#43 Church does not have
primary purpose of improving the material world, but Christians act to meet needs in particular circumstances.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special
Urgency Chapter I – Marriage & FamilyReminder of Christian vision:
lifelong and exclusive partnership, open to life.
Ideal of the Christian family.Duties to elderly parents.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter I – Marriage & FamilyPrinciple of regulating births according to
circumstances is OK; not all means are moral – especially abortion and infanticide.
Procreation is not the only purpose of marital love.
No pressure should ever be put on anyone to marry.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special
Urgency Chapter II.1 – Culture TodayIndustrial technology, urbanization
and mass communication.How to protect traditional
cultures?
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special
Urgency Chapter II.2 – PrinciplesFaith and Reason each have value.Protect Culture – but Gospel is
highest guide.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter II.3 – Christian DutiesGifted men and women should be helped
to realise their potential, even if they lack the means.
Theologians: make the church’s teaching more intelligible to each culture and incorporate new scientific findings.
Role for professional lay theologians.New art forms welcome in liturgy.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special
Urgency
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter III – Economic & Social LifeSociety is more urban,
interdependent, and the State is more involved.
Capitalist and communist economics can both dominate people’s values.
The gap between rich and poor widens – this affects individuals and nations.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter III.1 – Economic
DevelopmentIndustry should be driven by genuine
human need, not profit or status.Limited resources should not be held
unproductively, especially in great need.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter III.1 – Economic Development FairTrade!
Fair treatment for economic migrants, who are people!
Technical training where industrial methods remove manual jobs.
Protection for the ill and the elderly.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter III.2 – PrinciplesHuman labour – dignity not commodity.Labourers must be enabled to have
time for rest, family, culture, education, leisure and religion.
Worker’s needs must be represented to the management, e.g. by unions; the right to strike is acknowledged.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter III.2 – PrinciplesThe earth’s resources are to be shared
by everyone – each person has a right to their basic necessities.
Investing or exercising public office must be guided by moral values.
The right to private property is an aspect of human freedom.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter IV – Political CommunityRulers guided by morality and the
common good.State: only necessary powers, nor
should citizens expect the state to act in their self-interest.
Christians can and should get involved in politics.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special
Urgency Chapter IV – Political CommunityA clear distinction between activities
of Church, and those of Christians taking civic duties guided by a Christian conscience.
#76 The respective roles of the Church and the State.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special
Urgency Chapter V – International PeaceTrue peace requires justice.Non-violent activism is
praiseworthy.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter V.1 – Avoidance of WarCurrent realities: Terrorism, guerilla warfare,
weapons of mass destruction.Genocide and ethnic cleansing condemned.Affirms Geneva Convention and similar, and
protection of conscientious objectors.Self-defence is legitimate and military
service is therefore honourable.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter V.1 – Avoidance of WarWeapons of mass destruction are
never legitimate.Peacemaking initiatives are essential.An international body to settle
disputes and keep peace is essential.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter V.2 – International CommunityBodies for global co-operation are
essential.Developing countries should seek to
progress using their own resources.Developed countries should offer
assistance and avoid excessive profit.Population must be managed, but not by
immoral means.
Gaudium et Spes Part II: Problems of Special Urgency Chapter V.2 – International
CommunityChristian voluntary work is
praiseworthy.Aid efforts should be co-ordinated.#89-93 Church to be present through
official agencies and all Christians.
Benedict XVI Deus Caritas EstPart I – God and human lovePart II - Christian charity in practice
Caritas in VeritateApplies Catholic Teaching to current
economic circumstances
TASK 5
Read theDeus Caritas Est extracts provided.
What do they tell us about CHURCH?
The Servant Church
Teaches Moral Values (Session 4) Intervenes at the U.N. Sets up international, national
and diocesan agencies Grassroots projects by Catholics Individual Catholics involved in all
sorts of charitable projects
Catholic Aid Agencies
Also... The Church is not only on Earth!
The “Church Suffering”
In Purgatory Our prayers can help Early tradition of “offering
Mass” All Souls’ Day November Dead List Real benefit as well as
psychological need
The “Church Triumphant”
In Heaven, Disembodied (John XXII) No need of our prayers Early tradition of Mass for “martyrs’
birthdays” – other saints come later All Saints’ Day Beatification and Canonisation Invoked at Baptism and Ordination
Presentation © Revd Dr Gareth Leyshon 2009 except for photographs included as fair use for educational purposes. It may be freely used as a Catholic educational tool.
www.drgareth.info/ccrs