Monday, May 9, 2016
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 140 - Part II.
(Youcat
answer - repeated) Democracy operates on the principle that all power comes
from the people. In the Church, however, all power comes from Christ. That is
why the Church has a hierarchical structure. At the same time, however, Christ
gave her a collegial structure as well.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 875 a)
"How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? and how are
they to hear without a preacher? and how can men preach unless they are
sent?" (Rom 10:14:15). No one - no individual and no community - can
proclaim the Gospel to himself: "Faith comes from what is heard" (Rom
10:17). No one can give himself the mandate and the mission to proclaim the
Gospel. The one sent by the Lord does not speak and act on his own authority,
but by virtue of Christ's authority; not as a member of the community, but
speaking to it in the name of Christ.
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment)
The hierarchical
element in the Church consists in the fact that Christ himself is the one who
acts in the Church when ordained ministers, by God’s grace, do or give
something that they could not do or give by themselves, in other words, when
they administer the sacraments in Christ’s place and teach with his authority.
The collegial element in the Church consists in the fact that Christ entrusted
the entire faith to a group of twelve apostles, whose successors govern the
Church, with the Pope, the Petrine ministry presiding. Given this collegial
approach, councils are an indispensable part of the Church. Yet even in other
administrative bodies of the Church, in synods and councils, the manifold gifts
of the Spirit and the universality of the Church throughout the world can be
fruitful.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 875 b)
No one can bestow grace on himself; it must be given and offered. This fact
presupposes ministers of grace, authorized and empowered by Christ. From him,
they receive the mission and faculty ("the sacred power") to act in persona Christi Capitis; deacons
receive the strength to serve the people of God on the diaconia of liturgy, and charity, in communion with the bishops and
his presbyterate.
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