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The Roman Catholic Church is one of the oldest religious institutions in the world. Its teachings, worship, moral code and church organization are tightly controlled by a hierarchy of leaders: mainly the Pope, Bishops and local parish priests. Though tracing its origin back to Jesus Christ, much of the Church's organizational structure was copied from the Roman Empire and medieval feudalism.〔Barry J. Colman (Ed.), ''Readings in Church History'' (Newman Press 1965); Charles Dahm, ''Power and Authority in the Catholic Church'' (University of Notre Dame Press 1981); Patrick Granfield, ''The Limits of the Papacy: Authority and Autonomy in the Church'' (Crossroad 1990); Helen Ebaugh, “The Revitalization Movement in the Catholic Church: the institutional dilemma of power” in ''Sociological Analysis'' 52 (1991) 1, pp. 1-12; Eugene Bianchi & Rosemary Ruether (Eds.), ''A Democratic Catholic Church'' (Crossroad 1992); Paul Collins, ''Upon this rock: The Popes and their Changing Role'' (Melbourne Univ. Press 2000); Bernard Hoose (Ed.), ''Authority in the Roman Catholic Church. Theory & Practice'' (Ashgate, 2002).〕 In this Declaration, 200+ prominent theologians and other leaders in the Catholic Church from 34 countries across the world lay out their suggestions for how the governance of their Church needs to change. They demand a move from top-down authority to collegiality. This implies more autonomy for bishops in Synods and Bishops' Conferences, more power to clergy and laity in diocesan and parochial councils. The papacy should be restored to its original role. Though the suggested reforms are based on earlier decisions by the world-wide Church, their implementation would bring about a revolution in church practice.〔; ; ; .〕 == The Demands == The Declaration presents a programme of thorough overhaul of how the Roman Catholic Church is governed. The ‘blueprint’ lists seven points, each claimed to have been laid down in documents of Vatican Council II. # The role of the papacy should be redefined so as not to hamper the exercise of authority by others in the Church. These ‘other’ authorities are spelled out under the next six headings. # Bishops should be given more autonomy, both as pastors of their dioceses and members of national episcopal conferences.〔Vatican Council II, ''Lumen Gentium'' § 27.〕 # The Central Synod of Bishops should take part in deciding overall church policy, with and next to the Pope.〔Vatican Council II, ''Christus Dominus'' § 22.〕 # The laity should actively participate in church governance through pastoral councils on all levels.〔Vatican Council II, ''Christus Dominus'' § 16 & 27; see also Lumen Gentium § 31-32.〕 # Bishops and other church leaders should, to the extent possible, be elected more locally and democratically. The Vatican Council recommended democracy in politics. By implication, it is claimed, this applies also to selecting bishops. Moreover, the election of bishops used to be more local and democratic.〔Vatican Council II, ''Gaudium et Spes'' § 75; Hans Küng, "Bishops and People", Westminster Press 1970; Luca Badini Confalonieri, "Democracy in the Christian Church. An Historical, Theological and Political Case", T & T Clark 2012.〕 # The Roman Curia needs to be reformed.〔Vatican Council II, ''Christus Dominus'' § 9.〕 # The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith needs to be given independent, professional advisers. The implication is that it will then protect the freedom of academic research and expression, rather than suppress it.〔Vatican Council II, ''Gaudium et Spes'' § 62.〕 The Declaration has been published in eight languages, with a fuller explanation of each of the seven demands in further documentation. It ends with the appeal: “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.” 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Catholic Scholars' Declaration on Authority in the Church」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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