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edited by Bernard Hoose; Ashgate 2002; ISBN -
0-7546-0531-0
Review by John Wijngaards
The question of how authority in the Church should be exercised is
without any shade of doubt become a major issue for many thinking Roman
Catholics. The recent heavy-handed interventions by the Roman Curia and the
conservative policies ruthlessly put in place and pursued by John Paul II have
created an unprecedented climate of tension and unease. Many educated Catholics
leave the Church in total disillusionment. Others wonder whether the true
reforms began in Vatican II will ever have a chance to succeed. At the root of
most problems they see an outdated concept of Church governance that holds the
international community of faith in a stifling grip.
Governance, however, is not simple, neither in theory nor in practice.
It is highly to be applauded, therefore, that experts from so many
ecclesiastical fields have come together in this book to share their insights.
Since their approach is mainly academic, the book may seem at first forbidding
to those not familiar with the theological disciplines. But it is precisely
this serious and well-documented approach that will yield long-term results. A
scientist in a laboratory involved in basic cancer research may, at first, seem
less compassionate or relevant than a surgeon who is treating actual cancer
patients. Yet, in the long run, the researcher may produce new medicines that
will benefit millions of people. This truly academic book should therefore be
received with the respect and optimism it deserves.
Nor does the academic character of this book make it unreadible. I am
impressed by the way in which most authors have succeeded in explaining complex
matters in understandable language. Exhaustive footnotes point the way to
further reading for anyone who wants to pursue a particular question in
depth.
All the studies show to the unmistakable need of the present-day
Catholic Church to undergo substantial reforms. Every chapter enumerates them,
implicitly or explicitly. The editor carefully, and with typical British
understatement, lists the major trends that emerge: reform of authority itself,
reform of the ministerial priesthood and reform of the papacy. This book is an
indispensable tool for those taking part in the re-structuring of authority in
the Roman Catholic Church.
Because different authors highlight different aspects, visitors of our
website may be helped most by a briefly commentated look at the book’s
page of contents.
Content
1. Introducing the Main Issues - Bernard Hoose
Part I. Authority and the Church
2. What Do We Mean by `Authority'? - Gerard Mannion
The author notes that differing models of authority coexist in the
Church, and frequently clash. He identifies and examines what he sees to be
erroneous understandings of authority which have caused damage, and goes on to
suggest how the Church as a whole might benefit from a reappraisal of the
concept by the members of the hierarchy, with the aid of the whole community of
believers.
3. Spiritual Authority and Governance: A Historical Perspective -
Hugh Lawrence
An examination of the historical development of authority and
governance in the Church.
4. Authors, Authority and Authorization- Nicholas Lash
The author argues that the subordination of education to governance is
at the core of the crisis of Catholicism today, and maintains that, to a large
extent, authority is understood and exercised in terms of governance within
that Church, even where teaching authority is concerned. He insists rather that
governance is an aspect of teaching. `Christianity exists to be a school of
prayer and friendship.'
5. Ordination and Governance - Hugh Lawrence
On the role of ordination in governance. Not confining himself to the
historical development of the subject, the author raises various points for
discussion, including: the implications of the common priesthood of all the
baptised; the declaration of Lumen gentium - which contrasts with the
medieval hierocratic theory of delegated jurisdiction - that diocesan bishops
are not to be regarded as vicars of the Roman pontiff; and the stress within
the same document on the mutuality of the roles of priests and lay people
within the community.
Part II. The Role of the Faithful
6. The Sense of Faith: The Sense/Consensus of the Faithful - Francis
A. Sullivan
The auhtor addresses the often misunderstood concepts of the sense of
faith, the sense of the faithful, and the consensus of the faithful and
expounds on each of these. Whilst it is true, he notes, that Newman's
insistence on consulting the laity referred to the belief of the laity, rather
than their informed opinion on matters of doctrine, the situation is different
today when many lay people have higher degrees in theology. He discusses ways
in which bishops might consult lay people in this changed
situation.
7. The Reception of
Doctrine: New Perspectives - Richard R. Gaillardetz
The author discusses the question of the reception of doctrine. Making
use of modern literary theory, communications theory and studies in popular
religion, he argues that the handing on of the faith is a complex reciprocal
process. Reception is not just an act of obedient submission to a teacher; it
is active appropriation. In the very act of the reception of doctrine,
the faithful contribute something positively to the Church. It is therefore a
mistake to see the teaching office in isolation.
Part III. Ecumenical Dimensions
8. Trinity, Church and State - Paul McPartlan
The author argues that, in common with the other Churches, the Roman
Catholic Church should strive to find the kind of structure, the kind of
collegiality and the kind of primacy that best reflect the Trinitarian mystery
and serve the Eucharist.
9. The ARCIC Statements - Nicholas Sagovsky
The author examines the three principal ARCIC statements on the
subject of authority in the Church. These statements make few suggestions about
the reform of Church governance. They do, however, provide a theological
framework to help the Churches understand how the art of governance might be
cultivated. Moreover, argues Sagovsky, the ARCIC texts have major implications
for reform of Church governance which stretch beyond the confines of
Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism.
10. The Same but Different: Living in Communion - Paul
McPartlan
McPartlan highlights the fact that, whilst there are considerable
differences between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, the faith is the same.
However, since the Orthodox fear that union might crush their distinctiveness,
both Churches have to learn to underpin their dialogue with love and trust. One
way or another, they must learn to deal with the differences, recognize their
complementarity and achieve a visible communion of love and mutual
esteem.
Part IV. Organizational Culture and Authority
11. The Experience of Religious Orders - James Sweeney
The author deals with the experience of religious orders in regard to
authority, and points out that negative, as well as positive, lessons can be
learnt from that experience. Major deconstruction has taken place, and some are
tempted to use traditional disciplinarian methods to restore order. However,
now that authority is open to critical awareness, he says, it can never be the
same.
12. Communio Models of Church: Rhetoric or Reality? - David
McLoughlin
There is no one formula for restoring coherence, but the key dream and
impulse is koinonial communio. McLoughlin tackles the topic of
communio models of the Church. Although he finds a good deal of rhetoric
in the Church concerning its communio/shared/participatory nature, the reality
appears to be quite different. He reflects upon both the history of the terms
communio and koinonia and present-day rhetoric. The forces that work
against such a model are far from negligible and produce real tensions that
seem almost irreconcilable.
Part V. Marginalization and Authority
13. Language for God, Gender and Authority - Margaret
Fraser
Fraser points out that only those who hear themselves included can
truly participate. She analyses the use of language in the Bible, in the
liturgy, in reference to God, the Holy Spirit, the Trinity and Jesus, and notes
that problems exist for women in the ways in which language is used in all of
these various sectors. She also discusses various points that need to be taken
into account in the debate about how the voice of women can be
heard.
14. The Authority of the Poor - John O'Brien
The author argues that the authority of the poor is rooted in the fact
that the poor were the first addressees of the Gospel. Their voice is a
privileged one, and adequate authority structures can be developed in and for
the Church only if a privileged consideration is given to the experience of the
poor.
Part VI. A Step Beyond
15. Where Do We Go From Here? - Bernard Hoose
Hoose outlines the over-all conclusions: reform of authority itself,
of the ministerial priesthood and, last not least, of the
papacy.
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