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