Why does the Code use the term “People of God”?
Defines the faithful as those baptized into Christ, forming the People of God who share in Christ’s priestly, prophetic, and royal offices
What is the term Christifideles?
“Christ’s faithful” refers to all baptized persons incorporated into the Church. All baptized—laity, clergy, consecrated—share Christ’s offices according to their state.
What is the relationship between catechumens and the Code?
Catechumens are united to the Church by desire and faith; they enjoy certain prerogatives such as pastoral care and some rights (e.g., Christian burial) even before baptism.
Do “consecrated persons” form a distinct group of Christifideles?
Consecrated life is a distinct, public form of Christian life within the People of God. Evangelical counsels lived publicly; distinct state but same baptismal dignity.
What is the meaning and importance of “full communion”?
Full communion = unity in faith, sacraments, and governance. Based on Lumen Gentium 14; visible bonds mark ecclesial belonging.
How are rights to be exercised and regulated? How are disputes over conflicting rights to be resolved?
Rights and duties of the faithful are exercised with regard for the common good and ecclesial order. Rights within hierarchy and mission; disputes handled via canonical process.
What does “Christian obedience” entail? How is it lived out?
Respect and obedience to pastors; right to make needs known with reverence. Obedience is cooperative, grounded in baptismal dignity and conscience.
Think of how the Catholic school system in your province is related to the right to a Christian education.
All faithful have the right to a Christian education. Catholic schools exercise this right; shaped by Canadian constitutional history.
Examine the differences and similarities between the three groups whose individuals are the subjects of rights and duties.
Equal dignity; distinct functions and
states (lay, clerical, consecrated). Laity sanctify temporal order;
clerics teach, sanctify, govern
What is the importance of “incardination”?
Clerics must be attached (incardinated) to a diocese or institute. Ensures accountability and pastoral oversight.
What are some activities prohibited to clerics?
Clerics avoid offices or business unsuited to their state. Maintain focus on ministry; avoid scandal.
How may the clerical state be lost?
Loss of clerical state by dismissal, dispensation, or penalty. Through papal rescript or judicial process; affects faculties.
Examine how the “right to associate,” a natural human right, is regulated by the code
Faithful may form associations for
charity or apostolate under norms.
Canon law structures recognition
and oversight
What is the difference between de facto associations, private associations of the faithful and public associations of the faithful?
private associations are made by the faithful but without the recognition by the Churc, public aassociations are established by competent ecclesiastical authorities
How do the various types of association arise?
Associations arise freely; public ones erected by authority. Lay initiative or hierarchical direction.
How is ecclesiastical authority exercised over the various types of associations?
Competent authority supervises doctrine and governance. Ensures orthodoxy and accountability.
Who has decision-making authority within an association?
Statutes must define governance, purpose, seat, and representation. Internal governance regulated by approved statutes.
Who is accountable for the wrongdoing of an association? (Who may be sued even in civil law?)
Public associations under ecclesiastical oversight; civil liability possible. Moderators accountable; civil officers may be sued.
Why is the use of the name “Catholic” important in an association (according to the norms of the Code)?
The name “Catholic” requires ecclesiastical consent. Protects authenticity and communion.
What about lay movements? How are they regulated by the Code? Who is answerable within them? What is the role of ecclesiastical authority over them?
Lay movements governed under bishop’s vigilance. Express charisms; oversight ensures ecclesial communion.
What is the relationship between the Pope and the College of Bishops?
The Roman Pontiff and the College of Bishops exercise supreme and full power; the Pope may act alone. The College never acts apart from the Pope; collegiality defined by Vatican II.
What type of power does the Pope exercise over the Christifideles and the Church?
The Pope has supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power over the whole Church. Holds legislative, executive, and judicial authority as Successor of Peter.
Who are members of the College of Bishops? Which bishops are not members?
All validly consecrated bishops in communion with the Pope are members of the College. Membership requires consecration and communion.
What is a Synod of Bishops? What may it do? What may it not do?
The Synod of Bishops is a permanent consultative body assisting the Pope. Advisory unless given deliberative vote.
