Search

The recent synodal process is an opportunity to reflect on the role of the baptised faithful in the life of the Church and especially in its dynamics of mission and evangelisation. Through his teaching and reforms, Pope Francis has converted the Synod of Bishops into a place open to the petitions of the entire Christian world and to offer solutions that may enable the Pope to govern the universal Church more efficiently. The paper examines the initial phase of the synodal process, that is, the stage in which the particular churches are called upon to offer their proposals and suggestions by listening to the faithful. In addition, it analyses some questions about the legal status of synodal consultation and the relationship between this process and the rights of the faithful, in particular concerning the right of petition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the diocesan curia, focusing on the episcopal secretariat and the diocesan court. Although the two institutions specialized in different procedures, cooperation and exchange of information between them were usual. The role of the provisor encompassed both procedural and administrative responsibilities. This paper explores other roles in the diocesan court, including notaries and prosecutors. The secretary was linked to the bishop and his importance increased after the Council of Trent. The lack of official registries means that all extant records must be examined to shed light on the issues raised in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the vacancies and appointments of bishops in Castile in the period between the death of Philip the Fair in September 1506 and the return of Ferdinand the Catholic from Naples in August 1507. During that year, the Royal Council and the Aragonese monarch arbitrated measures to defend the Royal Patronage after Queen Juana had refused to select people to cover the vacant seats, which were disputed by nobles, clergymen and courtiers. Nevertheless, Pope Julius II demanded the appointment of the incumbents who had died in Curia. New documentation sheds light on this unique situation in the Castilian Church, which Ferdinand had to resolve in order to regain the government. He was able to achieve this with the help of Archbishop Cisneros, who was in favor of electing bishops “who were good before the eyes of God and before the eyes of the people”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the decrees issued by the President of the Council of Ministers to combat and contain the spread of Covid-19, the Catholic Church in Italy worked with the civil authorities to ensure that gatherings in church settings would not increase the risk of infection. The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis and assessment of the measures taken by ecclesiastical authorities – the Holy See, Italian Episcopal Conference, Regional Episcopal Conferences, Diocesan Bishops – within the intrinsically flexible framework of ius Ecclesiae, enabling solutions that would avoid gatherings while also ensuring full freedom to enact the salvific mission of the Church, which is expressed above all in the liturgy and the sacraments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The appointment of holders of capital offices entails important sacramental implications, a number of legal-formal elements and significant prudential, pastoral and even political features. All these aspects are involved in the right of the ecclesial community to good governance. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the norms and some elements of their application regarding three dimensions of the act of provision. First, the legalsacramental dimension involved in the provision of episcopal offices is addressed. Second, the article focuses on hierarchical communion as a personal situation that is verified in such provision. Third, some of the moderating aspects of episcopal ministry relating to the provision of the capital office as such are taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the role of the bishop as judge in light of Motu Proprio Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus, promulgated by Pope Francis on 15 August 2015. The analysis addresses these four main issues: 1. is the normative character of the text an innovation or a rediscovery? 2. the historical background; 3. the requirements of the new legislation; and 4. problematic issues and challenges. The first two points lay the groundwork for further consideration, while the latter two aim to clarify the scope of the legislation and highlight potential challenges in its application. Indeed, the final point is framed as an «open conclusion», as responses may be expected to arise through both the experience of Bishop-Judges in carrying out their juridical role and in the application of the legislation contained in the Motu Proprio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the technical means by which each of the criteria has been framed, and to what extent the means employed may be regarded as leading to the achievement of the desired objective (efficiency and cost-free nature of nullity processes, so as to better serve the salvation of souls). Measures that strengthen the responsibility of the bishop in his diocese are clear and effective in achieving this end: both in the processes in which he acts as a judge and in the greater discretion he enjoys in appointing a single judge and lay judges, without sharing such responsibility with the Episcopal Conference. However, greater discretion in the appointment of judges may also be read as a measure that favors episcopal collegiality less than was foreseen prior to the reform. Following the reform, each diocesan Bishop enjoys greater autonomy in his diocese, with no requirement of approval from the Episcopal Conference, which is a structure of government at the service of episcopal collegiality and communion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]