SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS
CHAPTER V SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIPS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS
23. Whether baptized spiritual leadership is exercised by the faithful as individuals or as members of organizations, it should be incorporated into the spiritual leadership of the whole People of God
according to a right system of relationships. Indeed, union with those whom the Holy Spirit has assigned to rule His Church (cf. Acts 20:28) is an essential element of the Christian spiritual leadership.
No less necessary is cooperation among various projects of spiritual leadership which must be suitably directed by the hierarchy.
Indeed, the spirit of unity should be promoted in order that fraternal charity may be resplendent in the whole mission of the People of God, common goals may be attained, and destructive rivalries avoided. For this there is need for mutual esteem among all the forms of spiritual leadership in the Church and, with due respect for the particular character of each organization, proper coordination. This is most fitting since a particular activity in the Church requires harmony and spiritual leadership cooperation on the part of both branches of the clergy, the Religious, and the baptized.
24. The hierarchy should promote the spiritual leadership of the baptized, provide it with spiritual principles and support, direct the conduct of this spiritual leadership to the common good of the People of God, and attend to the preservation of doctrine and order.
Indeed, the spiritual leadership of the baptized admits of different types of relationships with the hierarchy in accordance with the various forms and objects of this spiritual leadership.
For in the People of God there are many spiritual leadership undertakings
which are established by the free choice of the laity and regulated by their prudent judgment.
The mission of the People of God can be better accomplished in certain circumstances
by undertakings of this kind,
and therefore they are frequently praised or recommended by the hierarchy.
No project, however, may claim the name "Catholic"
unless it has obtained the consent of the lawful Church authority.
Certain forms of the spiritual leadership of the baptized are given explicit recognition by the hierarchy,
though in various ways. Because of the demands of the common good of the Church, moreover, ecclesiastical authority can select and promote in a particular way some of the spiritual leadership associations and projects which have an immediately spiritual purpose, thereby assuming in them a special responsibility. Thus, making various dispositions of spiritual leadership according to circumstances, the hierarchy joins some particular form of it more closely with its own spiritual leadership function.
Yet the proper nature and distinctiveness of each form of spiritual leadership must be preserved,
and the baptized must not be deprived of the possibility of acting on their own accord.
25. Bishops, pastors of parishes, and other priests of both branches of the clergy
should keep in mind that the right and duty to exercise spiritual leadership
is common to all the faithful, both clergy and the baptized,
and that the baptized also have their own roles in building up the Church.
For this reason they should work fraternally with the baptized in and for the Church
and take special care of the baptized in these works of spiritual leadership.
Special care should be taken to select priests who are capable of promoting particular forms of spiritual leadership by the baptized and are properly trained. Finally, in keeping with the spirit and norms of their societies, Religious Brothers and Sisters should value the works of spiritual leadership by the baptized
and willingly devote themselves to promoting lay enterprises.[6]
26. In dioceses, insofar as possible,
there should be councils which assist the spiritual leadership work of the People of God
either in the field of evangelization and sanctification
or in the charitable, social, or other spheres,
and here it is fitting that the clergy and Religious should cooperate with the baptized
23. Whether baptized spiritual leadership is exercised by the faithful as individuals or as members of organizations, it should be incorporated into the spiritual leadership of the whole People of God
according to a right system of relationships. Indeed, union with those whom the Holy Spirit has assigned to rule His Church (cf. Acts 20:28) is an essential element of the Christian spiritual leadership.
No less necessary is cooperation among various projects of spiritual leadership which must be suitably directed by the hierarchy.
Indeed, the spirit of unity should be promoted in order that fraternal charity may be resplendent in the whole mission of the People of God, common goals may be attained, and destructive rivalries avoided. For this there is need for mutual esteem among all the forms of spiritual leadership in the Church and, with due respect for the particular character of each organization, proper coordination. This is most fitting since a particular activity in the Church requires harmony and spiritual leadership cooperation on the part of both branches of the clergy, the Religious, and the baptized.
24. The hierarchy should promote the spiritual leadership of the baptized, provide it with spiritual principles and support, direct the conduct of this spiritual leadership to the common good of the People of God, and attend to the preservation of doctrine and order.
Indeed, the spiritual leadership of the baptized admits of different types of relationships with the hierarchy in accordance with the various forms and objects of this spiritual leadership.
For in the People of God there are many spiritual leadership undertakings
which are established by the free choice of the laity and regulated by their prudent judgment.
The mission of the People of God can be better accomplished in certain circumstances
by undertakings of this kind,
and therefore they are frequently praised or recommended by the hierarchy.
No project, however, may claim the name "Catholic"
unless it has obtained the consent of the lawful Church authority.
Certain forms of the spiritual leadership of the baptized are given explicit recognition by the hierarchy,
though in various ways. Because of the demands of the common good of the Church, moreover, ecclesiastical authority can select and promote in a particular way some of the spiritual leadership associations and projects which have an immediately spiritual purpose, thereby assuming in them a special responsibility. Thus, making various dispositions of spiritual leadership according to circumstances, the hierarchy joins some particular form of it more closely with its own spiritual leadership function.
Yet the proper nature and distinctiveness of each form of spiritual leadership must be preserved,
and the baptized must not be deprived of the possibility of acting on their own accord.
25. Bishops, pastors of parishes, and other priests of both branches of the clergy
should keep in mind that the right and duty to exercise spiritual leadership
is common to all the faithful, both clergy and the baptized,
and that the baptized also have their own roles in building up the Church.
For this reason they should work fraternally with the baptized in and for the Church
and take special care of the baptized in these works of spiritual leadership.
Special care should be taken to select priests who are capable of promoting particular forms of spiritual leadership by the baptized and are properly trained. Finally, in keeping with the spirit and norms of their societies, Religious Brothers and Sisters should value the works of spiritual leadership by the baptized
and willingly devote themselves to promoting lay enterprises.[6]
26. In dioceses, insofar as possible,
there should be councils which assist the spiritual leadership work of the People of God
either in the field of evangelization and sanctification
or in the charitable, social, or other spheres,
and here it is fitting that the clergy and Religious should cooperate with the baptized