Evangelical Councils

[Ignatius]

In the Catechism the term ‘Evangelical Councils’ is used, particularly in sections 900’s. For example 934 says “Among the Christian faithful by divine institution there exist in the Church sacred ministers, who are also called clerics in law, and other Christian faithful who are also called laity.” In who, professing the evangelical councils, are consecrated to God and so serve the Church’s saving mission.

What are the 'Evalgelical Councils"?

 

[Catholic_Dude]

In the Catechism the term ‘Evangelical Councils’ is used, particularly in sections 900’s. For example 934 says “Among the Christian faithful by divine institution there exist in the Church sacred ministers, who are also called clerics in law, and other Christian faithful who are also called laity.” In who, professing the evangelical councils, are consecrated to God and so serve the Church’s saving mission.

What are the 'Evalgelical Councils"?

I think you’re getting the term wrong. The therm isn’t ‘coun-ci-l’ but rather ‘coun-se-l’.
A ‘council’ is a gathering of Church authorities to discuss a matter; where as a ‘counsel’ is a good advice (e.g. getting advice from your school counselor).

The Evangelical Counsels are going above and beyond the standard good works Christians are called to, and refer especially to voluntary acts of poverty, chastity, and obedience (to a superior of your religious order).

Read the first paragraph (or more) of this:
newadvent.org/cathen/04435a.htm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_counsels

 

[NHInsider]

In the Catechism the term ‘Evangelical Councils’ is used, particularly in sections 900’s. For example 934 says “Among the Christian faithful by divine institution there exist in the Church sacred ministers, who are also called clerics in law, and other Christian faithful who are also called laity.” In who, professing the evangelical councils, are consecrated to God and so serve the Church’s saving mission.

What are the 'Evalgelical Councils"?

Actually, the reference in CCC 934 is to the “evangelical counsels” (not “councils”).

Councils are meetings of ecclesiastics, like the Jerusalem Council or the Council of Nicea. Counsels are guidelines or recommendations for living, Evangelical Counsels are guidelines for living the gospel. (parallel example - a Town Council is a governing body. a Town Counsel is a lawyer who advises the municipality. The Town Council may well consult with Town Counsel before making a decision.)

The Evangelical Counsels are the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience - commitments to the life of faith that go beyond what is required of all (precepts). These are, most obviously, the vows that professed religious take, although it is possible for someone to commit to these counsels in a lay state.

In CCC 934 the distinction is being made amongst the faithful laity, the clergy (priests and deacons) and the religious. People often miss the distinction between clerical and professed statesm because for so long priests, even secular priests, have taken the vow of celibacy. Not all priests are professed religious, not all religious are priests.

 

[Ignatius]

Thanks Catholic Dude and NHinsider, that is exactly it. I need to slow down and read more carefully. Thanks again.