Ministers and Ministries in the Local Church—A Comprehensive Guide to Ecclesiastical Norms by Sebastian S. Karambai (review)

book reviews 605 cusses its technical translation in the relationship of supreme church authority and diocesan episcopal authority (99–108). This part of the volume will provide much food for thought for other researchers, who may not agree entirely with the aforementioned authors’ perspectives on this continuing institutional concern. Two essays focus on different aspects of diocesan temporal administration . Luigi Mistó very briefly examines different dimensions of the bishop’s role in administering ecclesiastical goods with special reference to the Italian civil-ecclesiastical scene (117–120). Jesús Miñambres interestingly explores different aspects of the diocesan tax as an instrument of pastoral governance (121–135). While the accountable administration of diocesan and parish property is an increasingly relevant issue, the reviewer would have appreciated some reflections on other aspects of diocesan decision-making engaging the bishop with various members of the people of God individually or in consultative bodies. Finally a couple of essays address issues in Eastern law. Louis Okulik takes Pastores gregis as a point of departure to consider the pastoral care of Eastern Catholics in Latin dioceses (149–159). In closing DavideVenturini briefly notes references to Eastern law in the document (161–167). Although the volume contains neither an index nor a bibliography, it closes with the complete Italian text of the apostolic exhortation, which surely facilitates an informed study of the text. One looks forward to future publishing ventures such as this from the Pius X Canonical Institute in Venice. Thomas J. Green School of Canon Law The Catholic University of America Washington, DC MINISTERS AND MINISTRIES IN THE LOCAL CHURCH— A Comprehensive Guide to Ecclesiastical Norms by Sebastian S. Karambai, Mumbai: St Pauls, 2005. Pp. xxix–451. This publication is an excellent initiation to the organization of particular churches and to sacramental law. Its title says exactly what it contains : the first part deals with ministers, namely the diocesan leadership (bishops and diocesan curia, including its judicial section) and the lead- ership of the parish (parish priests and collaborators). The second part deals with the ministries of the Word and of the sacraments. The author gives the essential elements of the functions of each minister and of each sacrament. Moreover, some chapters end with practical appendices, like sample formularies for different situations; most chapters end with an interesting section on Some Frequently Asked Questions, and the Answers thereof. Appropriate references are made at times to the Oriental code. This is not a commentary canon after canon. The author analyzes any point that could be of interest to a future or current minister. He also gives an exhaustive list—according to the code and further canonical documents —of the tasks of each minister and/or of each holder of an ecclesiastical office. Ministers and Ministries could well be seen as a handbook for people preparing to work in pastoral activities, whether as deacons, priests, or lay pastoral workers. It could also be very helpful to those already involved in pastoral ministries, whoever they be: deacons, priests or bishops . Practitioners in canon law could also find in it an immediate and short answer to questions raised at times in the exercise of their ministry. Although the author refers once in a while to the Indian context, his study remains a commentary quite applicable to any particular church in the world. It is interesting to note that, while in many parts of the world the structure of the parish is being remodeled due to a dearth of priests, we find no mention of such an issue in this study. Moreover, the author mentions that “for India, where most of the regions have enough priests, it (can. 517, § 2) may not have immediate relevance” (p. 157). Accordingly , he does not deal with the current issues concerning cluster, merger and/or suppression of parishes. As the author of the foreword writes: “Ministers and Ministries, though technical in nature, is very readable: the scholar will find new insights ; the pastor will find a solution to cases which trouble him; and the student will find a comprehensive guide on the subject”. Roch Pagé Professor emeritus St. Paul University, Faculty of Canon Law Ottawa, ON 606 the jurist ...