How does a Bishop govern his church?

[ajpirc]

What are some ways that a Bishop can “rule” his diocese (besides the budget)? I’ve heard that the Church can discipline her flock (meat less Friday’s, etc.), so can a Bishop discipline the flock entrusted in his care without the rest of the Church.

Can he regulate the lives of his presbyterate, such as what they must wear, how they must live, or the way they do anything else?

Also, can he decide where he wants a new church built and how he wants it built?

My Bishop isn’t doing these things, I was just wondering how much power they have in their church.

 

[Wesley7]

How does a Bishop govern his church?

He directs the clergy in its administration of whichever diocese he presides in.

 

[ajpirc]

He directs the clergy in its administration of whichever diocese he presides in.

But is he allowed to make any rules for his diocese without the consent of the Church? Such as the examples I gave above.

 

[laszlo]

It is the bishops responsibility to keep the order in his diocese. Before recently he made some laws too (for fasting, abstinence, holy days of obligation); recently this function belongs to the National Conferences of the Bishops.

His only means to keep the order is suspension of clerics or excommunication. Recently also clerics get payed by the diocese, so the bishop can withhold their salary and insurance. This is new, in the past the bishop had no such power.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Can he regulate the lives of his presbyterate, such as what they must wear, how they must live, or the way they do anything else?

He can not regulate the lives of his presbyterate in this manner. He can mandate the wear clerics while ministering, actually that is in Canon Law already, and he can make them live in the rectory of the parish, thats about it.

His only means to keep the order is suspension of clerics or excommunication. Recently also clerics get payed by the diocese, so the bishop can withhold their salary and insurance. This is new, in the past the bishop had no such power.

Actually if the bishop tries to withhold salary or insurance that is part of the employment contract then he would be in violation of labor laws.

In many, if not most, dioceses today priests are independent contractors to the Church and not actual employees of it.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Can he regulate the lives of his presbyterate, such as what they must wear, how they must live, or the way they do anything else?

In addition to what Br. David has said, such regulation only happens in Religious Orders when a man (may or may not be a priest) or a woman makes vows which includes obedience. That obedience is to the Order and his/her superior. So such men/women need permission to do anything. But diocesan priests do not make such vows. They promise to obey their bishop, but such a promise doesn’t include giving their entire lives to the bishop.

 

[Ignatius]

He can not regulate the lives of his presbyterate in this manner. He can mandate the wear clerics while ministering, actually that is in Canon Law already, and he can make them live in the rectory of the parish, thats about it.

Actually if the bishop tries to withhold salary or insurance that is part of the employment contract then he would be in violation of labor laws.

In many, if not most, dioceses today priests are independent contractors to the Church and not actual employees of it.

I believe that the Bishop can reassign a priest to a different parish or remove permission to exercise priestly faculties. For example when, during an anti gun ralley, Fr. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina’s Church, exhorted the crowd to “drag” shop owner, John Riggio, from his shop “like a rat” and “snuff” him, the Bishop took action. Fr Pfleger said that he would leave The Church if he was reassigned, so the Bishop suspended his faculties.

 

[JReducation]

Bishops actually have much more power over the laity than they do over the clergy and religious. Let’s take this in small steps.

LAITY:

1. Bishop makes the rules for the reception of sacraments in his diocese.
2. Bishop opens and closes parishes, schools, hospitals, colleges and any other diocesan run ministry.
3. Bishop does not have to account to the laity for the finances of the diocese, but according to canon law, the laity has to financially support the diocese and its apostolates.
4. Bishop owns everything that is owned by the diocese. He cannot be sued for giving it away or selling it, regardless of who paid for it, which is usually the faithful.
5. Bishops can deny permission for a person to enter the seminary in another diocese. If you belong to diocese X and you want to enter the seminary in Diocese Y, you must have the permission of your bishop. This does not apply to enter a religious community or an institute of apostolic life. You don’t need the bishop’s permission.
6. Only the bishop can call something “Catholic”. Catholics may form associations for whatever purpose, but they may not call it Catholic. They are associations of Catholics or for Catholics. The become Catholic associations when the bishop gives them the status of either a public or private Catholic Association of the Faithful.
7. The bishop can impose interdicts, canonical disciplines and penances on his diocese.

CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS

1. All diocesan clerics (deacons, priests and auxiliary bishops) owe obedience to the bishop on pastoral matters and on matters that affect the faithful, such as their behavior.
2. Clerics who belong to religious orders, religious congregations and institutes of apostolic life owe the bishop obedience on the same issues as number one, if they work for the diocese. If the cleric works in an institution that belongs to his community, he owes obedience to that institution and to his superiors.
3. Bishops grant faculties to all clerics and they can suspend them too. Clerics who are religious can function in their houses, even if they are suspended by the bishop. The religious house is outside of the bishop’s jurisdiction. The Major Superior is the Ordinary there. However, if a bishop suspends you, chances are very good that your Major Superior will do the same.
4. Bishops have the authority to make dress codes for all clerics (religious and secular). However, he may not prohibit the use of the habit by clerics who choose to wear the habit of their community. The statutes of the community trump the bishop’s dress code.
5. Bishops do not have the authority to impose dress codes on brothers and sisters, unless they work for him, provided that the it is allowed by the Sacred Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. If the Sacred Congregation says that the Sisters of St. X don’t have to wear a habit, the bishop cannot demand it. The bishop does not have to welcome communities that don’t wear a habit. If they’re already in his diocese, oh well.
6. Canon Law demands that bishops pay their diocesan priests and auxiliary bishops. Therefore, the bishop cannot withhold their salary as a disciplinary measure.
7. Canon Law requires that the bishop provide for the health and retirement of diocesan clergy. He can provide a benefit package or whatever is customary in his country.
8. Bishops regulate liturgy for their diocese. They can approve or prohibit whatever is allowed by Canon Law or by indult.
9. Bishops decide if a man has a vocation to the diaconate or the priesthood. He calls the man to Holy Orders – does not apply to men in religious communities. The community or the Major Superior make this decision.
10. Bishops can refuse to ordain a candidate from a religious community, but cannot prohibit the ordination if the Major Superior finds another bishop. The ordination is valid and licit.
11. Bishops are the highest superiors of religious of diocesan right.
12. Bishops are the highest superiors of monasteries of women in their dioceses.
13. Bishops cannot suppress a religious order or a secular order once it has been approved by himself or a previous bishop, regardless of what they do. Only the pope can do that.
14. Bishops can begin dismissal process for any diocesan cleric convicted of sexual abuse of minors. He does not need to wait for Rome to begin the process.

FOR EVERYONE

1. Bishops can legitimately teach on any matter: civil or religious, as long as they do not contradict faith and morals. Their teaching must be received with reverence and respect as per Canon Law.
2. Only the bishop or his delegate can legally represent a diocese.
3. Bishop can dispense with any disciplinary obligation such as a holy day of obligation, fasting, abstinence or other disciplines allowed to him by Canon Law.
4. Bishops can bind and unbind in matters of private vows and promises, even when the person does not request the dispensation.
5. Only a bishop can ordain.
6. The bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation, but he may delegate it to any priest for a valid reason.
7. The bishop can excommunicate. He must then submit the case to the Holy See.
8. Only a bishop can absolve for abortion, unless he authorizes the priests of the diocese to do so, because this sin requires absolution and lifting an excommunication.

There are many other rights and duties of the bishop found in theology and Canon Law.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[ajpirc]

1. Bishops have the authority to make dress codes for all clerics (religious and secular). However, he may not prohibit the use of the habit by clerics who choose to wear the habit of their community. The statutes of the community trump the bishop’s dress code.

So can the bishop make all of his diocesan priests wear, say, cassocks instead of a clerical suit (I think that’s what it’s called)?

 

[nickybr38]

I don’t know about other Bishops but our Archbishop is quite involved in our archdiocese. He writes letters once a month advising the laity on activity within the archdiocese and when it’s needed he writes letters or reprimand for the parishes of the archdiocese much like the apostles did in their Epistles. Just last year he wrote a letter reminding everyone what the Eucharist IS and why everyone should be more respectful during Communion (people were doing things like chatting in communion line, and taking the Body back to their pew to share with their children. In the same letter he reprimanded the laity for not taking the passing of the Peace more seriously, people were doing some pretty silly things and he reminded everyone what is proper and what isn’t during these times.

Not surprisingly everyone ignored the letter (even though it was read out at Mass) and kept doing what they liked doing.

Honestly I feel bad for our Archbishop, he’s trying so hard and the people just aren’t listening.

 

[JReducation]

So can the bishop make all of his diocesan priests wear, say, cassocks instead of a clerical suit (I think that’s what it’s called)?

Yes, a bishop can do this. However, Canon Law is very clear that clerics who do not wear a habit, dress according to the custom of the place where they are.

The Council of Baltimore, way back in the 1800s, ruled that cassocks were not to be worn in the USA in any public place, because the robe is a European and Asian form of dress, not an American form of dress. The Council of Baltimore ruled that Catholic priests and brothers wear the same clerical dress as the Anglican and Episcopal clergy. That was a white shirt with a black military coat. That’s where we get the black shirt with the white square in the front. Originally, it was a shirt worn under a jacket that had a high collar with a cut in the center to reveal the collar of the shirt. That ruling is still in effect for the USA. The Council of Baltimore’s decision was never abrogated.

Unlike Europe where secular priests and clerks regular (Jesuits, Vicentians and other communities that did not have a habit) wore cassocks on trains, buses and on the road, this was never the custom in the USA.

The bishop can mandate that it be worn on parish grounds or for parish work. However, if he mandates that they be worn on the street, the Holy See may have a problem with that, because Canon Law says to dress according to local custom. Cassocks are not an American custom. They were only worn on Church property and for ceremony.

This caused a great deal of confusion for a long time, until Vatican II. Religious superiors began to demand that we too wear Roman Collars in public, instead of habits. They began this in the 1800s. Until the 1980s we were not allowed to wear habits away from the religious house. It was Vatican II and the revision of Canon Law in 1983, that liberated us (religious men) from the Roman Collar. Today, we can wear either, depending on the statutes of the community. Vatican II clarified that those religious communities of men that had habits should simplify these habits according to work, climate and culture, but maintain the original inspiration of the founder. The bishops cannot prohibit the use of the habit.

One thing about the cassock, as nice as it looks, it has two practical drawbacks. 1) It is a very expensive piece of clothing. It costs more than a suit and you would need more than one in warm weather. That leads to problem number 2. It’s a very uncomfortable and hot piece of clothing. Unlike a habit, you must wear a shirt and pants under a cassock. Whereas, religious do not wear shirts or pants under our habits. Our habits are designed to be worn in many climates. The cassock was created in the cold countries of Europe. It was originally a long military coat, like the one worn by Keanu Reeves in The Matrix. That’s why it has the buttons down the front, unlike a habit. When the temperature goes above 75, you need AC to wear it. It is very hot, especially around the neck, because it is very snug. Habits are not snug. The neck and the sleeves are very wide. Most habits are completely closed, no buttons, so you don’t wear pants unless it’s freezing.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JReducation]

I don’t know about other Bishops but our Archbishop is quite involved in our archdiocese. He writes letters once a month advising the laity on activity within the archdiocese and when it’s needed he writes letters or reprimand for the parishes of the archdiocese much like the apostles did in their Epistles. Just last year he wrote a letter reminding everyone what the Eucharist IS and why everyone should be more respectful during Communion (people were doing things like chatting in communion line, and taking the Body back to their pew to share with their children. In the same letter he reprimanded the laity for not taking the passing of the Peace more seriously, people were doing some pretty silly things and he reminded everyone what is proper and what isn’t during these times.

Not surprisingly everyone ignored the letter (even though it was read out at Mass) and kept doing what they liked doing.

Honestly I feel bad for our Archbishop, he’s trying so hard and the people just aren’t listening.

I have seen this happen in many places. I work in a diocese where the bishop writes a letter to the faithful every other week on some issue. The faithful seem to miss the point.

I often smile to myself, because I’m reminded of a quote from Cardinal Arinze. “What do you want the Holy See to do, send six Swiss Guards to arrest everyone who fails to comply?” Cardinal Arinze is right. There is a point that you cannot do much except arrest people and that’s not an option.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[nickybr38]

I have seen this happen in many places. I work in a diocese where the bishop writes a letter to the faithful every other week on some issue. The faithful seem to miss the point.

I often smile to myself, because I’m reminded of a quote from Cardinal Arinze. “What do you want the Holy See to do, send six Swiss Guards to arrest everyone who fails to comply?” Cardinal Arinze is right. There is a point that you cannot do much except arrest people and that’s not an option.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Haha! That would be kind of funny though. I’d enjoy seeing the Swiss Guard… maybe they could send the Knights of Columbus instead?

 

[JReducation]

Haha! That would be kind of funny though. I’d enjoy seeing the Swiss Guard… maybe they could send the Knights of Columbus instead?

 

[ajpirc]

I have seen this happen in many places. I work in a diocese where the bishop writes a letter to the faithful every other week on some issue. The faithful seem to miss the point.

I often smile to myself, because I’m reminded of a quote from Cardinal Arinze. “What do you want the Holy See to do, send six Swiss Guards to arrest everyone who fails to comply?” Cardinal Arinze is right. There is a point that you cannot do much except arrest people and that’s not an option.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

So how does the Catholic Church enforce her laws, if she does at all? I know the Pope and Bishops had armies hundreds of years ago, it seemed that the Church preserved order back then too. I think the Church should be more strict with the laity when enforcing laws, discipline, and the Faith.

 

[PJM]

=ajpirc;7887332]What are some ways that a Bishop can “rule” his diocese (besides the budget)? I’ve heard that the Church can discipline her flock (meat less Friday’s, etc.), so can a Bishop discipline the flock entrusted in his care without the rest of the Church.

Can he regulate the lives of his presbyterate, such as what they must wear, how they must live, or the way they do anything else?

Also, can he decide where he wants a new church built and how he wants it built?

My Bishop isn’t doing these things, I was just wondering how much power they have in their church.

THEY HAVE TONS of Power They are DIRECTLY responsible to god for ALL of the Souls placed in their charge.

So long as they conform to Churcj Law [Code of Canon Law], don’t deviate from the Doctrine and Dogmas of the Church [Catechism of the CC] and follow other guides and restraints such as no changes to the Mass or ANYTHING touching Faith W/O the Popes Approval; they are kinda like Monarchs; with a GREAT DEAL of unbridaled authority.

Priest, Religious, Deacons and the laity are to follow what the Bishop commands and demands. Very often [budget permitting], they have a mini-curia type set-up for themselves. With a head of Education, Liturgy, Music and Art, Priest and religious, and so-on as experts that report back to the Bishop much like Curia Heads repoort to the pope.

They OWN all of the Property of the Diocese [not the local parishes].

Almost like a “Govenor” in the states reports to the president.

Hope this helps you.

www.realpresence.org
** BISHOP**. A successor of the Apostles who has received the fullness of Christ’s priesthood. His most distinctive power, that of ordaining priests and other bishops, belongs uniquely to a bishop. Moreover, m spite of some disputed cases in history, it is highly probable that a priest would not be authorized by the Holy See to ordain another priest. A priest certainly cannot consecrate a bishop.

In the ordination of a bishop the “matter” is the imposition of hands on the head of the bishop-elect by the consecrating bishops, or at least by the principal consecrator, which is done in silence before the consecratory prayer; the “form” consists of the words of the consecratory prayer, of which the following pertains to the essence of the order, and therefore are required for the validity of the act: “Now pour out upon this chosen one that power which flows from you, the perfect Spirit whom He gave to the apostles, who established the Church in every place as the sanctuary where your name would always be praised and glorified.” (Etym. Greek episkopos, a bishop, literally, overseer.)

God Bless,
Pat

 

[JReducation]

THEY HAVE TONS of Power They are DIRECTLY responsible to god for ALL of the Souls placed in their charge.

So long as they conform to Churcj Law [Code of Canon Law], don’t deviate from the Doctrine and Dogmas of the Church [Catechism of the CC] and follow other guides and restraints such as no changes to the Mass or ANYTHING touching Faith W/O the Popes Approval; they are kinda like Monarchs; with a GREAT DEAL of unbridaled authority.

Priest, Religious, Deacons and the laity are to follow what the Bishop commands and demands. God Bless,
Pat

As far as religious are concerned, bishops only have authority over the work that religious do for him and for his diocese. They have no authority over their daily lives, their manner of dress, apostolates run by their religious communities with their money and on their property. The religious community must ask the bishop for permission to establish itself in his diocese, even if it’s to open a house of formation. Once the permission is granted the Major Superior of the religious community is the highest ranking authority. The bishop must work through the Major Superior. If I work at a diocesan parish or other diocesan organization or institution, I have to follow diocesan policies as do the secular deacons, secular priests and laity. If I work in a school, college, retreat house or other institution operated by my religious community, I have to follow the laws of the Church and the religious community, but not diocesan policies, because the institution does not belong to the diocese and as a religious, I’m not part of any diocese. When you become a novice you cease to belong to any diocese. You are excardinated. No bishop has jurisdiction over you. If you belong to a male community, the Major Superior (Provincial and General) is the Ordinary for the community, not the bishop. The religious can move about with greater freedom than do secular deacons, priests and laity.

Most religious communities have what is called Pontifical Rights. This means that they answer to the Sacred Congregation for Consecrated Life and Institutes of Apostolic Life, not to the bishop. Some communities, such as Dominicans, Jesuits and Franciscans are what are called exempt communities. This means that they answer to their General Superior who answers to the Holy Father. You must comply with Canon Law and the rules and constitutions of your community.

Bishops can present their complaints to the Major Superior. They can ask the Superior to replace someone. They can even fire someone who is a religious who works for them. But they cannot move that person out of their diocese, nor can a bishop ask a religious community to leave his diocese. Only the pope can do that. For this reason, bishops and superiors discern very carefully before a religious community enters a diocese, because once the community is there, it cannot be suppressed. The same also applies to secular orders. Bishops cannot suppress them. The most he can do is ban them from working on any diocesan ministry, but not a ministry of their own.

The best case that I can think of is the case of Notre Dame University. Because the university is owned by a lay board and administered by the Holy Cross Brothers and Fathers, the bishop was unable to do anything to stop the President’s visit. He filed his complaint, but that was all that the Church would allow him to do.

At Franciscan University in Stubenville, a group of students and teachers wanted the EF mass. The Guardian of the religious house would not grant permission to celebrate the EF on the campus until he had asked the Major Superior. The group went to the bishop. The bishop informed them that he had no jurisdiction over the Franciscan Friars because they are an exempt religious order and because the university is not owned by the diocese. Eventually they did get the EF, according to the terms set by the Major Superior.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JReducation]

So how does the Catholic Church enforce her laws, if she does at all? I know the Pope and Bishops had armies hundreds of years ago, it seemed that the Church preserved order back then too. I think the Church should be more strict with the laity when enforcing laws, discipline, and the Faith.

The Church can impose interdicts, censures and even excommunicate. Hundreds of years ago, bishops and popes were also temporal rulers. Many of them belonged to the aristocracy. They were ecclesial leaders, and they were also Lords. Because of separation of Church and State, bishops and popes no longer occupy political office, except for the pope who is still the Head of State for Vatican City State. However, the pope is not the Head of Government of Vatican City State. Vatican City has its own Parliament and its own Secretary of State who functions as a Prime Minister. He deals with all civil affairs from security to international relations with other nations. Like any head of government, he must report the the Head of State, who is the pope. But that is the extent of the Church’s temporal power.

She can discipline the faithful using spiritual remedies only.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[ajpirc]

Can a Bishop make celibacy mandatory for all Deacons in his diocese?

 

[JReducation]

Can a Bishop make celibacy mandatory for all Deacons in his diocese?

Celibacy is already mandatory for deacons. There is a misunderstanding among the laity.

The Church is allowed to ordain married men to the diaconate and even to the priesthood in certain circumstances. However, she may never allow an ordained man, deacon, priest or bishop permission to marry.

If a bishop so wishes, he can choose to ordain only single men to the diaconate. Obviously, once ordained, they cannot marry, just as a married deacon or priest may not remarry when his wife dies. The law does not say that he must ordain married men. It says that he CAN do so.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF