Episcopal conferences in the Code of canon law 1983 (II)

Šiame straipsnyje toliau tęsiama tema apie vyskupų konferencijas. Visas straipsnis yra skirtas vyskupų konferencijų teisinei prigimčiai pristatyti. Jei teisinis aspektas, kaip žinoma, yra ontologinis žmogaus bruožas, tai tuo labiau jis yra bet kokios institucijos bruožas. Teisinis aspektas išreiškia vienos ar kitos institucijos vietą konkrečioje teisėtvarkos sistemoje, reglamentuoja tarpusavio santykius su kitais juridiniais ir fiziniais asmenimis. Vatikano II Susirinkimas pirmą kartą suteikė vyskupų konferencijoms formalų teisinį aspektą – įtraukė į visuotinės Bažnyčios teisėtvarkos sistemą. 1983 m. išleistas Kanonų teisės kodeksas šį aspektą labiau sukonkretino. Straipsniu siekiama atskleisti tiek pastaruosius pakitimus vyskupų konferencijų teisinėje perspektyvoje, tiek paryškinti esamą minėtos institucijos teisinį aspektąDescribing the juridical aspect of Bishops’ Conferences, it is easy to notice that it gained a new qualitative expression after the Vatican II and became more concrete after coming into force of the new Code of Canon Law. Legally the Bishops’ Conferences maintained their private character when in the 19th century they started to confirm their statute. As a part of universal law, the Bishops’ Conferences became only after Vatican II as an expression of “re-discovered” notion of local Churches and collegiality in the Church, the expression of community and responsibility. If the earlier Code of Canon Law of 1917 described Bishops’ Conferences as a meeting of provincial bishops, seeking the good of separate dioceses, we can say that this Code did not know Bishops’ Conferences as such. Until the Vatican II the Conferences were unofficial, a gathering of neighbouring bishops on a voluntary basis, having only moral authority. After this Council, the Conferences became legal institutions, having the juridical power and enabling the subjects to pass the laws. Vatican II offered a free possibility to establish Bishops’ Conferences, and only Pope Paul VI required them to be established everywhere. Vatican II in its teaching did not want to render these institutions full-scale juridical regulation, only essential and common principles. Wide variety of practical adjustment and theoretical specifications were offered, especially in legal and theological spheres. Introduction of additional norms confirm this. M. P. Apostolos suos.The article offers some elements, describing legal nature of this institution. One of them – the stability of the institution. This concerns all parts of the institution: the head of the Conference, constant councils, general secretariat, different councils and committees, the regularity of plenary meetings. This shows the difference between Bishops’ Conferences and plenary or provincial meetings.[...]Vytauto Didžiojo universiteta