In the comment section of my very own blog, on Saturday, November 16th I wrote the following about bishops and bishops' conferences:
The bishop is a "vicar of Christ" in his own diocese. But he is responsible to Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, Canon Law and obedience directly to the pope. He does not have to, though, follow every "dictate" of the USCCB. For example he could issue his own document on liturgy, music, architecture and forgo documents offered over the years by sub committees of the USCCB on the same. He could also write documents about war and peace and in some ways take exception to documents written by the USCCB. I don't think though he could take exception to Humanae Vitae or requests of the Holy Father to all bishops of the world. But with that said, I'm not opposed to the USCCB for it functions in a very important capacity nationally, but it is not on the same level of authority as the local bishop and his relationship to all of the above and the Holy Father.
The Holy Father, unchanging over the years:
Then on Monday, November 15th, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI said this to Brazilian bishops meeting in Rome:
The national bishops’ conference exists to promote collaboration among bishops, not to replace their authority, Pope Benedict XVI said to a visiting group of bishops from Brazil on November 15.
The episcopal conference “must avoid becoming a parallel reality or substituting for the ministry of each individual bishop,” the Pope said. He added that “the counselors and structures of the episcopal conference exist to serve the bishops, not to replace them.” Stressing the duty and authority of each individual bishop within his own diocese, the Pope said that the conference should help each bishop to carry out his work more effectively.
The Holy Father's comments two days after my comments makes me wonder, does His Holiness read my blog for fair and balanced blogging with no slant or ax to grind whatsoever? Could it be?
4 comments:
I suspect his internet-savvy secretary, Msgr. Georg Ganswein, scans blogs and prints out interesting and pertinent posts for His Holiness to read. Yours was certainly interesting and pertinent, so why not?
Oh, so YOU are the one feeding him information! I knew it!
I've been vindicated by His Holiness, Benedict XVI. Long live the Pope!
My hope is that Minucius Felix/Pater Ignotus/Col Mustard/Abdul el Faof/etc. will prayerfully read Pope Benedict's address to the Brazilian bishops and act accordingly.
Patiently waiting for an answer....
I hope they don't read any of the comments. I am already personna non grata in my parish...
rcg
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