12 December 2019
Word of the Day: Councils of the Church
COUNCILS OF THE CHURCH. Authorized gatherings of bishops for the purpose
of discussing ecclesiastical problems with a view to passing decrees on matters
under discussion. In Roman Catholic terminology, if all the bishops are called
to participate and actually represent the Christian world, the assembly is called
ecumenical, which means universal; if only part of the hierarchy is invited,
the council is particular. The latter may be plenary or provincial, depending
on whether a single provincial area, e.g., the dioceses of Ohio, or a whole
country sponsors the gathering. Church councils, even on a provincial basis,
enjoy juridical authority in religious questions that is distinct from the legislative
powers of individual bishops. In this respect also, councils differ from episcopal
conferences, which are not, as such, legislative assemblies.
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