Theology of the Priesthood by Galot Jean

Author:Galot, Jean [Galot, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Spiritual & Religion
ISBN: 9781586170967
Published: 2014-04-27T04:00:00+00:00

B. THE DECLARATIONS OF THE COUNCIL OF TRENT

1. THE HIERARCHY

After long debate, the Council of Trent defined the existence of the hierarchy. Canon 6 on the sacrament of order asserted that “in the Catholic Church there is . . . instituted a hierarchy by divine ordinance, which consists of bishops, priests, and ministers.”12

Although the Council affirms the existence of the hierarchy, it is rather vague when describing its origin. A more precise proposal, seconded by the Spanish bishops and the Cardinal of Lorraine, had been submitted in which there appeared the phrase “a hierarchy instituted by Christ the Lord”.13 But the majority had opposed this choice of words for fear that, if the hierarchy were said to be instituted by Christ, this affirmation might be taken to imply that bishops received their jurisdiction directly from God. The Spanish group did in fact hold that the bishop’s jurisdiction came directly from God, and that the pope merely apportioned to bishops the faithful over whom they were to exercise jurisdiction. The majority maintained that bishops received the jurisdiction only through the mediation of the pope.14 In the end, the Council compromised and settled for the formula: “a hierarchy instituted by divine ordinance”. This choice of words leaves open the question of whether bishops were instituted by Christ. The phrase “divine ordinance” refers to a will or provision on the part of God but contains no other concrete precisions as to the nature of that ordinance. When interpreting the conciliar text, we must take into account the Council’s deliberate intention to refrain from a clear-cut affirmation of a divine institution, or of an institution on the part of Christ directly related to bishops.

The Tridentine declaration is somewhat obscure also with respect to ranks in the hierarchy. It does not say that the three ranks listed in canon 6 were instituted by divine ordinance. It says this only of the hierarchy itself. The word “minister” too raises a question. Does it refer to deacons only, or to all the orders below the priesthood? Since the phrase “and other ministers” was explicitly amended to read “and ministers”,15 it is more likely that only deacons were meant. Yet the fact remains that deacons were not explicitly named.

2. THE BISHOP’S SUPERIORITY TO PRIESTS

The Council of Trent defines that, in the hierarchy, bishops rank above priests. It is anathema to maintain that “bishops are not superior to priests, or that they have not the power to confirm and ordain, or that the power which they have is common to them and to priests. . . ,”16

The superiority in question refers to the power of order, since on July 4, 1562, it had been decided to limit the discussion exclusively to order and not to address the matter of jurisdiction. This superiority is explained in terms of the power to administer confirmation and to ordain. Chapter 4 indicates that the power of bishops goes beyond confirmation and ordination: “They administer the sacrament of confirmation and can perform many functions over which those of an inferior order have no power.

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