Dissertation Abstracts

dissertations and theses 811 DISSERTATION ABSTRACTS Accountability in the Exercise of Diocesan Pastoral Care: The Functioning and Monitoring of Selected Ecclesiastical Offices Rogelio Ayala-Partida The Catholic University of America 2009 Recently, there has been an increased interest in the Church’s responsibility to foster the accountable exercise of authority in dioceses, especially in light of the recent sexual misconduct crisis and financial irregularities in the Catholic Church. The diocesan bishop is generally the competent authority to provide for the ecclesiastical offices in the diocese (c. 157) according to the norm of law. This responsibility is to be exercised in the spirit of service that is proper to the Church. This dissertation analyzes seven relevant offices in the diocese. At the diocesan level in the administrative section of the curia we analyze the following offices: the vicar general, the chancellor, and the finance officer ; while in the judicial section of the curia, we analyze the judicial vicar and the defender of the bond. At the parochial level, this dissertation investigates the juridical figure of the pastor, and at the regional level, the office of the vicar forane. This analysis 1) describes each office as provided in the 1983 code, 2) notes the qualifications that the officeholders must have, 3) specifies the provisions in the law that foster standards of accountability, 4) indicates the measures that can be implemented when officeholders do not meet those standards, and 5) suggests possible changes when the law seems to be inadequate in addressing accountability concerns. This dissertation investigates especially the 1983 code and the 2004 Directory of the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops regarding the offices discussed , and the role of the bishop in appointing competent persons to such offices. It recommends measures for fostering quality pastoral service on the part of the selected church officials. The last part of this dissertation analyzes certain deficiencies in the law regarding accountability provisions and offers possible changes that can be suggested for the future. This is because one of the greatest con- 812 the jurist tributions a bishop can make to his diocese and the universal Church is to implement standards of excellence in selecting and evaluating those individuals chosen for various positions at all levels, diocesan, deanery, and parish. This is indispensable if the Church is to address wisely contemporary pastoral challenges. The Sanctifying Function of the Diocesan Bishop Especially in Relationship With Pastors: A Canonical Analysis of Liturgical Developments with Special Reference to the Eucharist Thomas Mark Condon The Catholic University of America 2009 The bishop directs the liturgical life of the diocese and the ministry of presbyters, especially pastors. The bishop and pastor share uniquely in the Church’s work of sanctification as priests of sacred worship. There is an interdependence between bishop and pastor in the sanctifying function (cf. 1983CIC cc. 369; 519). Shaping and executing liturgical priorities for the particular church requires dialogue and harmony between the bishop and his pastors. The close link between the ministry of the bishop and presbyters is seen especially in c. 835 §1–2 of the 1983 code that speaks generally of episcopal and presbyteral responsibilities in the exercise of their essential sanctifying functions. The approach of the 1983 code departs from its 1917 predecessor in designating the bishop as one empowered to foster good liturgy in the diocese rather than merely enforcing liturgical norms. The dissertation explores possibilities for episcopal -presbyteral cooperation in the moderation and promotion of liturgical life. The dissertation examines the 1917 code view of bishops by way of contrast to the heightened liturgical responsibilities affirmed for the bishops by Vatican II. This dissertation examines the manner in which the liturgical movement anticipated the liturgical teaching of the Vatican II. The dissertation discusses selected conciliar documents regarding the liturgical leadership role of bishops and presbyters, and provides a detailed examination of the 1983 code regarding the liturgical responsibilities of the bishop and presbyter. The following post-code magisterial texts highlight especially the bishop’s broad liturgical responsibilities: the 2001 General Instruction on the Roman Missal, the 2003 PostSynodal Exhortation, Pastores gregis, the 2004 Directory on the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops, Apostolorum successores, and the 2004 Instruction Redemptionis sacramentum. The impact of the...