JUBILEE DECLARATION ON AUTHORITY IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Academic Sponsors of the Declaration

click on each name to see the credentials

• _Prof Mario I. Aguilar _Prof Mario I. Aguilar
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• Prof Edmund Arens Prof Edmund Arens
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• Dr L B Confalonieri Dr L B Confalonieri
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• Dr Paul Collins Dr Paul Collins
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• Prof R. van Eyden Prof R. van Eyden
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• Prof Sean Freyne Prof Sean Freyne
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• Prof Mary Grey Prof Mary Grey
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• Prof Christine Gudorf Prof Christine Gudorf
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• Prof Hermann Häring Prof Hermann Häring
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• Prof G. Hasenhüttl Prof G. Hasenhüttl
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• Prof Linda Hogan Prof Linda Hogan
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• Prof Jan Jans Prof Jan Jans
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• Prof Martin Jäggle Prof Martin Jäggle
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• Prof Marie R. Joyce Prof Marie R. Joyce
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• Prof Erik Jurgens Prof Erik Jurgens
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• Prof Manuela Kalsky Prof Manuela Kalsky
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• Prof Leo Karrer Prof Leo Karrer
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• Prof Othmar Keel Prof Othmar Keel
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• Prof Ursula King Prof Ursula King
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• Prof W. Kirchschläger Prof W. Kirchschläger
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• Dr James Kottoor Dr James Kottoor
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• Prof Gerhard Kruip Prof Gerhard Kruip
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• Prof Hans Küng Prof Hans Küng
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• Prof K.J. Kuschel Prof K.J. Kuschel

On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, we call on all other members of the People of God to assess the situation in our church.

Many of the key insights of Vatican II have not at all, or only partially, been implemented. This has been due to resistance in some quarters, but also to a measure of ambiguity that remained unresolved in certain Council documents.

A principal source of present-day stagnation lies in misundertanding and abuse affecting the exercise of authority in our Church. Specifically, the following issues require urgent redress:

The role of the papacy needs to be clearly re-defined in line with Christ’s intentions. As supreme pastor, unifier and prime witness to faith, the pope contributes substantially to the health of the universal church. However, his authority may never obscure, diminish or suppress the authentic authority directly given by Christ to all members of the people of God.

Bishops are vicars of Christ, not vicars of the pope. They carry immediate responsibility for people in their dioceses, and joint responsibility, with other bishops and the pope, for the world-wide community of faith.

The central synod of bishops should assume a more decisive role in planning and guiding the maintenance and growth of faith within our complex world. To execute its task, the synod of bishops needs to be given appropriate structures.

The Second Vatican Council prescribed collegiality and co-responsibility on all levels. This has not been realised. Priestly senates and pastoral councils, as envisaged by the Council, should involve the faithful more directly in decision making concerning the formulation of doctrine, the running of the pastoral ministry and evangelization in secular society.

The abuse of choosing for leadership offices in the church only candidates of a particular mindset, should be eradicated. Instead, new norms should be laid down and supervised to ensure that elections to such offices are conducted in a fair, transparent and, to the extent possible, democratic fashion.

The Roman curia requires a more radical reform, in line with the instructions and vision of Vatican II. The curia should be retained for its useful administrative and executive roles.

The congregation for the doctrine of the faith should be assisted by international commissions of experts who have been independently chosen for their professional competence.

These are by no means all the changes that may be required. We also realise that the implementation of such structural revisions will need to be worked out in detail according to the possibilities and limitations of present and future circumstances. However, we stress that the seven reforms outlined above are urgent and their implementation should be started immediately.

The exercise of authority in our church should emulate the standards of openness, accountability and democracy achieved in modern society. Leadership should be seen to be honest and credible; inspired by humility and service; breathing concern for people rather than preoccupation with rules and discipline; radiating a Christ who makes us free; and listening to Christ’s Spirit who speaks and acts through each and every person.

11 October 2012

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Academic Sponsors of the Declaration

click on each name to see the credentials

• Prof Leo Laeyendecker Prof Leo Laeyendecker
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• Prof Bernhard Lang Prof Bernhard Lang
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• Dr André Lascaris Dr André Lascaris
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• Prof Michael Lawler Prof Michael Lawler
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• Prof Gerard Loughlin Prof Gerard Loughlin
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• Prof Joseph Mattam Prof Joseph Mattam
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• Prof Norbert Mette Prof Norbert Mette
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• Prof Dietmar Mieth Prof Dietmar Mieth
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• Prof Peter Nissen Prof Peter Nissen
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• Prof T. O’Loughlin Prof T. O’Loughlin
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• Prof A. Padovano Prof A. Padovano
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• Prof G. P. Jagenteufel Prof G. P. Jagenteufel
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• Prof Todd Salzman Prof Todd Salzman
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• Prof Schüngel-Straumann Prof Schüngel-Straumann
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• Prof Joseph Selling Prof Joseph Selling
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• Prof Ingrid H. Shafer Prof Ingrid H. Shafer
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• Prof John Sullivan Prof John Sullivan
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• Prof Leonard Swidler Prof Leonard Swidler
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• Prof Marie-Th. Wacke Prof Marie-Th. Wacke
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• Dr Michael Winter Dr Michael Winter
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• Prof Werner Wolbert Prof Werner Wolbert
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• Dr John Wijngaards Dr John Wijngaards
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• Prof H.-G. Ziebertz Prof H.-G. Ziebertz