Friday, January 2, 2009

1Tim 5, 18-21 Doing nothing out of favoritism

(1Tim 5, 18-21) Doing nothing out of favoritism
[18] For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing," and, "A worker deserves his pay." [19] Do not accept an accusation against a presbyter unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. [20] Reprimand publicly those who do sin, so that the rest also will be afraid. [21] I charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to keep these rules without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.
(CCC 1567) "The priests, prudent cooperators of the episcopal college and its support and instrument, called to the service of the People of God, constitute, together with their bishop, a unique sacerdotal college (presbyterium) dedicated, it is true, to a variety of distinct duties. In each local assembly of the faithful they represent, in a certain sense, the bishop, with whom they are associated in all trust and generosity; in part they take upon themselves his duties and solicitude and in their daily toils discharge them" (LG 28 § 2). Priests can exercise their ministry only in dependence on the bishop and in communion with him. The promise of obedience they make to the bishop at the moment of ordination and the kiss of peace from him at the end of the ordination liturgy mean that the bishop considers them his co-workers, his sons, his brothers and his friends, and that they in return owe him love and obedience. (CCC 1595) Priests are united with the bishops in sacerdotal dignity and at the same time depend on them in the exercise of their pastoral functions; they are called to be the bishops' prudent co-workers. They form around their bishop the presbyterium which bears responsibility with him for the particular Church. They receive from the bishop the charge of a parish community or a determinate ecclesial office.

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