Authority Structures in the Catholic Church

What changes are required to bring the exercise of authority in the Catholic Church in line with the requirements of Vatican II? We have brought them together into a legal framework that is coherent, pragmatic, as well as compatible with biblical studies, theological research, and ecumenical dialogues. Please see the “Proposed Constitution for the Catholic Church” (October 2022), available in English, Spanish, French, and German, and endorsed by more than 60 scholars, including eminent canon lawyers, bible scholars, theologians, and church historians.

For some older suggestions on the same topic, please see the following:

• The role of the papacy;
• The authority of Bishops’ conferences;
• The autonomy of the central Synod of bishops;
• The setting up of pastoral councils;
• Oversight of the election/selection of key church officials;
• Correct functioning of the Vatican curia as a civil service;
• A CDF guided by independently chosen professionals.

Again, by what values should the exercise of authority be inspired in the Catholic church? We suggest the following:

• Honesty and truth;
• Caring for people;
• Co-responsibility – Democratic decision making;
• Accountability and transparency;
• Openness to the Spirit;
• Radiating a Christ who liberates.

Other contributions:

• New series of Synodal Reflections on Church Authority, starting January 2023 (opens in new website).
• Thoughts on reforming of the ordained ministry (priesthood).
• “Pfarrer Initiative” – Parish Initiative: How to have Lively Parishes despite Lack of Priests (Prof. Walter Kirchschläger).

We welcome any contributions to our lines of inquiry, whether in the form of observations, critiques, submission of new material or the suggestion of other topics for research.

Publications

• Democracy in the Christian Church. An Historical, Theological and Political Case, by Luca Badini Confalonieri, Ecclesiological Investigations vol. 16 (London: Continuum/Bloomsbury Academic, 2012), 304pp. The key chapter 6 “A Democratic Ecclesiology” is fully available online here.
• “Christ’s Idea of Authority” by John Wijngaards, Amruthavani, Secunderabad India, 1975; Telugu edition as “Srisabhalô Âdikâram”, Secunderabad 1976; USA edition: Christ’s Idea of Authority, 1988.