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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Czym jest sobór dla Kościoła? Perspektywa rzymskokatolicka

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Council is a solemn assembly of the college of bishops and other members of the Church with and under the leadersh ip of the bishop of Rome or his envoy-legate. The councils deal with important and current issues of the Church, in particular concerning her unity in doctrine and organization. The Orthodox and Protestant Churches accept the first seven councils, considered ecumenical for called by undivided Church. These councils formed the ecclesiastic base of doctrine, discipline and liturgy. They also were events that expressed the identity of the Church and realized the highest and fullest authority of the Church. But its understanding varied in the East and the West. In the Western Church, in particular after the Reformation, the privileged role of the pope in the college of bishops was highlighted. It caused the pope to be considered the only person responsible to call the council, to preside it and to authorize its documents. The theory of council has a dynamic and evolutionary character. Different spreading of accents in the interpretation of the ways to exercise authority in the Church is related to the historical context, ecclesiastical, social and theological time, in which various councils gathered. A council is considered ecumenical not because it follows the principle of ecumenical openness, but because it is an expression of ecclesiastical communion implemented in the Holy Spirit. With out considering the role of the Holy Spirit in the exercise of ecclesiastical ministry, it is impossible to comprehend the nature of councils.