All programmes > Course: Organization of the Church

Organization of the Church (B-KUL-B0B57A)

4.0 ECTS English 26.0 First termFirst term Basic Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
N.
This course is not taught this academic year, but will be taught next year.This course is not taught this academic year, but will be taught next year.
POC Kerkelijk recht

Aims

• To gain insight in the hierarchical constitution of the Church (universal and particular)
• To discuss the relationship between the Second Vatican Council and the Code of Canon Law regarding the foundation, nature and application of the concilar notion of the organization of the Church, functions and juridical power all offices
• To describe papal and Episcopal elections, resignations and their canonical procedure
• To know and understand the principle of collegiality
• To discuss the definition of the power of jurisdiction (supreme power, full power, immediate power, universal power and ordinary power) and its canonical mechanisms
• To discus exercise of power in the church vis-a-vis- its canonical system,
• To know and understand the relationship between the universal and particular: local churches,
• To discuss the relationship between Ecumenical Councils and the Pope
• To gain insight on the Synod of bishops, Curial Offices, Cardinals, bishops and their powers  as indicated in the Code of Canon Law,
• To discuss the notions of particular Church: diocese (territorial and personal), patriarchate, territorial prelature, vicariate/apostolic prefecture, and apostolic administration as indicated in the Code of Canon Law,
• To know and understand the canonical importance of the notions juridic personality and territoriality of a particular Church,
• To discuss the power and the function of the bishop as indicated in the Code of Canon Law.

Previous knowledge

Students studied by preference the course B0B00A - Basic Concepts of Canon Law before.

Content

The Code offers the concrete, applicable ecclesiology. Ecclesiology comprehends more than law, but for the transformation of Vatican II in church life and relationships the Code is of extreme importance: what is not accepted in the Code, remains in the sphere of desires and wishes. Canons 330 to 367 of the Code contains, the concrete, fixed (congealed) ecclesiology. In this part of the cours these parts of the Code are studied in depth. Attention will be drawn not only to the texts of Vatican II but also to the many sources that made the Church to what it is today.

In a second part of the course attention will be drawn to the particular church. The different types of particular churches, the person and election of the bisshop, diocesan synods, episcopal vicars, delegation and the presbyteral and finance council are dealt with in canons 368 to 572. The 'actors' of diocesan life will be studied in the light of Vatican Council II and post-conciliar developments.

This course gives an insight in the dynamic of the contemporary universal and local church and helps to understand contemporary tendencies in society and church.

Course material

Articles and literature
Manual

Is also included in other courses

Activities

2.0 ects. Organization of the Universal Church (B-KUL-B0B57a)

2.0 ECTS English 13.0 First termFirst term
N.
POC Kerkelijk recht

Content

The Code offers the concrete, applicable ecclesiology. Ecclesiology comprehends more than law, but for the transformation of Vatican II in church life and relationships the Code is of extreme importance: what is not accepted in the Code, remains in the sphere of desires and wishes. Canons 330 to 367 of the Code contains, the concrete, fixed (congealed) ecclesiology. In this part of the cours these parts of the Code are studied in depth. Attention will be drawn not only to the texts of Vatican II but also to the many sources that made the Church to what it is today.

Aims

The broader goal of this course is to enable students to acquire insights and understand the canonical mechanisms concerning the conciliar notion of the hierarchical constitution of the Church regarding the organization of the Universal Church.
The discussion focuses on fundamental issues related to Catholic ecclesiology (the church's nature, mission and structure), elections (Papal and Episcopal), functions of the Pope, Ecumenical councils, College of bishops, Primacy and Episcopacy, the Synod of bishops, Curial offices and their relations with particular churches. In general canons 330 to 459 are analyzed and discussed in depth.
• To gain insight in the hierarchical constitution of the Universal Church
• To discuss the relationship between the Second Vatican Council and the Code of Canon Law regarding the foundation, nature and application of the concilar notion of the organization of the Church, functions and juridical power of all offices
• To describe papal and Episcopal elections, resignations and their canonical procedure
• To know and understand the principle of collegiality
• To discuss the definition of the power of jurisdiction (supreme power, full power, immediate power, universal power and ordinary power) and its canonical mechanisms
• To discus exercise of power in the church vis-a-vis- its canonical system,
• To know and understand the relationship between the universal and particular: local churches,
• To discuss the relationship between Ecumenical Councils and the Pope
• To gain insight on the Synod of bishops, Curial Offices, Cardinals, bishops and their powers  as indicated in the Code of Canon Law,

Description of learning activities

Lecture

The broader goal of this course is to enable students to acquire insights and understand the canonical mechanisms concerning the conciliar notion of the hierarchical constitution of the Church regarding the organization of the Universal Church.
The discussion focuses on fundamental issues related to Catholic ecclesiology (the church's nature, mission and structure), elections (Papal and Episcopal), functions of the Pope, Ecumenical councils, College of bishops, Primacy and Episcopacy, the Synod of bishops, Curial offices and their relations with particular churches. In general canons 330 to 459 are analyzed and discussed in depth.
• To gain insight in the hierarchical constitution of the Universal Church
• To discuss the relationship between the Second Vatican Council and the Code of Canon Law regarding the foundation, nature and application of the concilar notion of the organization of the Church, functions and juridical power of all offices
• To describe papal and Episcopal elections, resignations and their canonical procedure
• To know and understand the principle of collegiality
• To discuss the definition of the power of jurisdiction (supreme power, full power, immediate power, universal power and ordinary power) and its canonical mechanisms
• To discus exercise of power in the church vis-a-vis- its canonical system,
• To know and understand the relationship between the universal and particular: local churches,
• To discuss the relationship between Ecumenical Councils and the Pope
• To gain insight on the Synod of bishops, Curial Offices, Cardinals, bishops and their powers  as indicated in the Code of Canon Law,

2.0 ects. Organization of the Particular Church (B-KUL-B0B58a)

2.0 ECTS English 13.0 First termFirst term
N.
POC Kerkelijk recht

Content

In a second part of the course attention will be drawn to the particular church. The different types of particular churches, the person and election of the bisshop, diocesan synods, episcopal vicars, delegation and the presbyteral and finance council are dealt with in canons 368 to 572. The 'actors' of diocesan life will be studied in the light of Vatican Council II and post-conciliar developments.

Aims

The broader goal of this course is to enable students to acquire insights and understand the canonical mechanisms concerning the conciliar notion of the hierarchical constitution of the Church regarding the organization of the particular Church. The discussion focuses on fundamental issues related to Catholic ecclesiology (the church's nature, mission and structure), groupings of particular churches, the function of bishops, diocesan synods, diocesan curia, conference bishops, definition of the power of jurisdiction and its canonical implications. The organization and law on the parish will be discussed in a separate course on Parish Law. In general canons 460 to 572 are analyzed and discussed in depth.
• To discuss the notions of particular Church: diocese (territorial and personal), patriarchate, territorial prelature, vicariate/apostolic prefecture, and apostolic administration as indicated in the Code of Canon Law,
• To know and understand the canonical importance of the notions juridic personality and territoriality of a particular Church,
• To discuss the power and the function of the bishop as indicated in the Code of Canon Law.
• To know and understand the canonical importance of the diocesan synods , bishops conferences and their powers  as indicated in the Code of Canon Law,
• To know and understand the canonical mechanisms related to the appointment, administration of diocesan offices like vicars and others
• To discuss the relationship between dioceses and their parishes as indicated in canon law.

Description of learning activities

The broader goal of this course is to enable students to acquire insights and understand the canonical mechanisms concerning the conciliar notion of the hierarchical constitution of the Church regarding the organization of the particular Church. The discussion focuses on fundamental issues related to Catholic ecclesiology (the church's nature, mission and structure), groupings of particular churches, the function of bishops, diocesan synods, diocesan curia, conference bishops, definition of the power of jurisdiction and its canonical implications. The organization and law on the parish will be discussed in a separate course on Parish Law. In general canons 460 to 572 are analyzed and discussed in depth.
• To discuss the notions of particular Church: diocese (territorial and personal), patriarchate, territorial prelature, vicariate/apostolic prefecture, and apostolic administration as indicated in the Code of Canon Law,
• To know and understand the canonical importance of the notions juridic personality and territoriality of a particular Church,
• To discuss the power and the function of the bishop as indicated in the Code of Canon Law.
• To know and understand the canonical importance of the diocesan synods , bishops conferences and their powers  as indicated in the Code of Canon Law,
• To know and understand the canonical mechanisms related to the appointment, administration of diocesan offices like vicars and others
• To discuss the relationship between dioceses and their parishes as indicated in canon law.

 

Course material

Reader

Explanation language of instruction

The broader goal of this course is to enable students to acquire insights and understand the canonical mechanisms concerning the conciliar notion of the hierarchical constitution of the Church regarding the organization of the particular Church. The discussion focuses on fundamental issues related to Catholic ecclesiology (the church's nature, mission and structure), groupings of particular churches, the function of bishops, diocesan synods, diocesan curia, conference bishops, definition of the power of jurisdiction and its canonical implications. The organization and law on the parish will be discussed in a separate course on Parish Law. In general canons 460 to 572 are analyzed and discussed in depth.
• To discuss the notions of particular Church: diocese (territorial and personal), patriarchate, territorial prelature, vicariate/apostolic prefecture, and apostolic administration as indicated in the Code of Canon Law,
• To know and understand the canonical importance of the notions juridic personality and territoriality of a particular Church,
• To discuss the power and the function of the bishop as indicated in the Code of Canon Law.
• To know and understand the canonical importance of the diocesan synods , bishops conferences and their powers  as indicated in the Code of Canon Law,
• To know and understand the canonical mechanisms related to the appointment, administration of diocesan offices like vicars and others
• To discuss the relationship between dioceses and their parishes as indicated in canon law.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Organization of the Church (B-KUL-B2B58a)

Mode of evaluation : Written / Oral with written preparation
Category : final examination during examination period
Type of evaluation : Closed book, Paper

Explanation

For the first part of the course (Organization of the Universal Church) students study the content of the courses and the reader. They are assessed based on an oral exam during the regular exam period.
For the second part of the course (Organization of the Particular Church) students write a paper or deal with cases according to the instructions given during class.