Pastores Gregis

INTRODUCTION

• "The figure of Jesus the Good Shepherd represents the primary image to which we must constantly refer."
• The bishop is "configured to Christ by his holiness of life, expends himself generously for the Church entrusted to him, while at the same time bearing in his heart a concern for all the Churches throughout the world." [1]

The Tenth Assembly of the Synod of Bishops [2]

• After series of synods, that of the Bishops "completed the picture of that ecclesiology of communion and mission which must always be our fundamental point of reference."
• Review of the pastoral ministry in the light of the theological virtue of hope.

A Hope Founded on Christ [3]

• Part of the task of the Bishop, together with faith and love.
• Bishop is prophet, witness and servant of hope.
• Hope a "support of faith" and "incentive for love".
• Based on Gospel and modelled after the Blessed Virgin.

Hope, When Hopes are Dashed [4]

• In the aftermath of September 11.
• Profession of faith in Jesus Christ strengthens bishop's hope.
• Hope
  1. "sustains him as he transforms conflicts themselves into an opportunity for growth and for reconciliation."
  2. "will fill his heart with compassion, prompting him to draw near to the pain of every suffering man and woman and to soothe their wounds, ever confident that every lost sheep will be found."

Servants of the Gospel for the Hope of the World [5]

• Duc in altum!
• Duc in docendo!
• Duc in sanctificando!
• Duc in regendo!
• Ave Crux, spes unica!

I. THE MYSTERY AND MINISTRY OF THE BISHOP

"...and He chose from them Twelve" (Lk 6:13) [6]

• "An act of love, freely willed."
• Power and mission transmitted through the laying of the hands.

The Trinitarian Foundation of the Episcopal Ministry [7]

1. Bishop is Father and Mother.
2. Bishop acts in the person and in the name of Christ himself.
3. Bishop is anointed by the Holy Spirit.

The Collegial Nature of the Episcopal Ministry [8]

• "[T]through the personal succession of the Bishop of Rome to Saint Peter and the succession of all the Bishops as a group to the Apostles, the Roman Pontiff and the Bishops are united among themselves as a College."
• "Based on both episcopal ordination and hierarchical communion."
• Never alone, is always accompanied.
• Never alone, because he cares for other particular Churches as well.
• Different degrees and modes of living collegiality.
  1. collegialitas affectiva: spirit of collegiality or affective collegiality; always present among Bishops as communio episcoporum
  2. collegialitas effectiva: not exercised all the time
• Roman Pontiff: principle of foundation of unity and universality of both Church and episcopate
• "The universal Church is not the sum of the particular Churches, or a federation of the latter."
• "College of Bishops is NOT to be understood as the aggregate of the Bishops who govern the particular Churches, nor as the result of their communion."
• Why? "It is a reality which precedes the office of being the head of a particular Church, ...a PRE-EXISTING REALITY in which individual Bishops participate."
• It is one "indivisible theological subject."
• "[H]ence the supreme, full and universal power possessed by the College, and by the Roman Pontiff personally, is one and indivisible."
• THIS IS WHY "THERE ARE MANY BISHOPS WHO, WHILE CARRYING OUT TASKS THAT ARE PROPERLY EPISCOPAL, ARE NOT HEADS OF PARTICULAR CHURCHES."
• There exist "OTHER FORMS OF EXERCISING THE EPISCOPAL MINISTRY"

The Missionary Character and the Unitary Nature of the Episcopal Ministry [9]

• "Apostle" = "envoy"
• Pastoral ministry (munus pastorale) made actual in the :
  1. "proclamation of the Gospel of hope to all peoples "
  2. "administration of the sacraments to those who embrace salvation "
  3. "guidance of God's holy people towards eternal life"
• These three functions are "deeply interconnected: they (i) explain, (ii) influence, and (iii) clarify one another."
• This means that when the Bishop exercises one of the offices, he is also exercising the other two.

"He called to him those whom he desired" (Mk 3:13-14) [10]

• "For you I am a Bishop and with you I am a Christian." (St Augustine)
• Note the partnership between
  
  • "with you"-"for you"
  • "being with"-"being placed before"
    
  • Baptism-Holy Orders
  • common priesthood-ministerial priesthood
• The Bishop lives these
  1. "two modes of participation in the one priesthood of Christ"
  2. "two dimensions [different in essence, not only in degree] which unite in the supreme act of the sacrifice of the Cross"
• One dimension does not cancel out the other.
  1. Hence, like all the other Christian faithful, he is obliged to strive for personal sanctification.
  2. The former determines the "style" of carrying out the latter.
• There exists a kind of perichoresis (Lat. circuminsessio, "indwelling") in the three munera between these two modes of participation:
  1. "between the common witness to the faith given by the faithful and the Bishop's authoritative witness to the faith through his magisterial acts"
  2. "between the lived holiness of the faithful and the means of sanctification that the Bishop offers them"
  3. "between the personal responsibility of the Bishop for the good of the Church entrusted to him and the shared responsibility of all the faithful for that same Church."

II. THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THE BISHOP

''... He appointed Twelve that they might be with Him'' (Mk 3, 14) [11]

• "an inner demand of their participation in Jesus' own mission": "to share His own life"
  • "objective sanctification" (effected by the sacrament ex opere operato) calls for "subjective sanctification" (person effort with the help of grace)
  • ontological transformation (effected by episcopal consecration) requires a lifestyle that shows oneness with Christ
• oneness with Christ = "DAILY GIFT OF SELF" [JP2: one is enriched in giving, not in keeping for oneself]
  1. living for the Father and
  2. living for others
• Bishop's spirituality [i.e., subjective sanctification] is
  • ecclesial spirituality i.e. "directed towards the building up of the Church in love"
  • draws from Baptism, Confirmation and his episcopal ordination
  • requires (i) "attitude of service"; (ii) "personal strength"; (iv) "apostolic courage"; (v) "trusting abandonment to the inner working of the Spirit"
  • should "adopt a lifestyle which imitates the kenosis [self-emptying] of Christ
  • "Unless the episcopal office is based on the witness of a holiness manifested in pastoral charity, humility and simplicity of life, it ends up being reduced to a solely functional role and, tragically, it loses credibility before the clergy and the faithful."

The Call to Holiness in the Church in Our Time [12]

• Like Moses, after dialogue with God returns with a radiant face (cf. Ex 34:29-30)
• Only after he has "entered the dark yet luminous cloud" of the Trinitarian mystery can he become
  1. father : "sign of the merciful goodness of the Father"
  2. brother : "living image of the love of the Son"
  3. friend : "man of the Spirit"
• call to spirituality and holiness: ''All pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness ... Once the Jubilee is over, we resume our normal path, but knowing that, stressing holiness remains more than ever an urgent pastoral task'' (Novo Millenio Ineunte)
• St Gregory Nazianzen's admonition; "first be holy yourself and then make others holy".
• Ultimate basis of all pastoral effectiveness: "constant meditation on the mystery of Christ, passionate contemplation of his Face and generous imitation of the life of the Good Shepherd."
• Re-establish primacy of grace.

The Bishop's Spiritual Journey [13]

• First be a "servant of God" before being a servant of others.
• Need for progress towards a deep "spiritual and apostolic maturity".
• Code of Canon Law, c. 387; cf. Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, c. 197.
• Among others:
  1. Life of prayer
  2. Profound faith, complete trust in God, charity
  3. Docile obedience to the Holy Spirit
  4. Filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
  5. Nourished by the Gospel and the Holy Eucharist
  6. Frequent recourse to the sacrament of Penance
  7. Deep love for the Church
  8. Configured to Christ crucified
• Grace strengthens and perfects human nature.

[Means 1] Mary, Mother of Hope and Teacher of the Spiritual Life [14]

• Mater spei et spes nostra
• "...make her fiat his own"
• Teacher of "listening to word of God and promptly putting it into practice"
• Solid Marian devotion: contemplating the mysteries of the Holy Rosary and promoting its recitation

[Means 2] Entrusting Oneself to the Word [15]

• St Ignatius of Antioch: "I commend myself to the Gospel as to the flesh of Christ."
• St Jerome: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ."
• Therefore,
  1. Frequent personal reading and regular study of Sacred Scripture.
  2. Meditation on the word of God

[Means 3] Drawing Nourishment from the Eucharist [16]

• Centre of the Bishop's life
• Adoration before the tabernacle: to let it "to be filled and shaped by the love" of the Good Shepherd

[Means 4] Prayer and the Liturgy of the Hours [17]

• Prayer, especially the Liturgy of the Hours
• Appointed by Christ "to be with him" (Mk 3:14)
• "We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:4)
• This prayer has to be "particularly and typically 'apostolic'".
• Liturgy of the Hours and the Psalter: the voice of the Bride calling upon the Bridegroom
• The well-known motto contemplata aliis tradere thus becomes contemplationem aliis tradere.

The Way of the Evangelical Counsels and the Beatitudes [18]

• The Bishop must reflect Christ's obedience, his chastity and his poverty.
• Likewise, he must reflect the Beatitudes.

[Counsels 1] The Virtue of Obedience [19]

• Obedience to the Gospel and to the Church's tradition
• The way to teach others about communion.
• Threefold aspect: apostolic, communitarian and pastoral.
  1. Apostolic: in obedience to Pope and to the college of bishops
  2. Communitarian: overcoming individualism and working for the good of the whole Church
  3. Pastoral: dialogue towards effective mutual understanding. Foster spirit of initiative and responsible obedience.

[Counsels 2] The Spirit and Practice of Poverty in Bishops [20]

1. "untiring generosity and inexhaustible liberality"
2. "complete trust in the providence of the heavenly Father"
3. "an open-hearted communion of goods"
4. "an austere way of life", simplicity and
5. "continuous personal conversion"
6. "preferential option for the poor"

[Counsels 3] With Chastity at the Service of a Church which Reflects the Purity of Christ [21]

• "In the reality of the Church and the world today, the witness of chaste love is, on the one hand, a form of spiritual therapy for humanity and, on the other, a form of protest against the idolatry of instinct."
• A father's concern for ascetic and spiritual difficulties, providing encouraging support.
• In cases of grave lapses and of crimes
  1. firmness and decisiveness
  2. justice and impartiality
  3. timeliness
  4. according to established canonical norms
  5. repair scandal
  6. restore justice
  7. protect and assist victims

The Proponent of a Spirituality of Communion and Mission [22]

• Provide special occasions "which facilitate listening"
• Examples: retreats, spiritual exercises and days of spirituality, prudent use of new communications media
• Foster communion with Roman Pontiff and brother Bishops
• Communion leads to mission, relying on the power of the Cross (spes unica)

A Journey Undertaken in Everyday Life [23]

• The challenges of the office make it advisable to ensure one's "mental, emotional and affective equilibrium" so the Bishop can more effectively serve
• Care for one's health
• Balance in activities

The Permanent Formation of Bishops [24]

• An intrinsic requirement of vocation and mission of priests and religious.
• Christ: "Follow me." First time Mt 4:19, after resurrection Jn 21:22.
• Required by both theological and anthropological (human) reasons.
• Periodic updating. Longer periods for listening, fellowship and dialogue with experts.
• Examples: special courses of formation, short courses, spiritual exercises

The Example of Sainted Bishops [25]

• Encouragement through their example.
• Promote new causes for canonisation.

III. TEACHER OF THE FAITH AND HERALD OF THE WORD

Go into all the world and preach the Gospel..." (Mk 16, 15) [26]

• Solemnly entrusted; mission till the end of the world
• By word and witness of life

Christ at the Heart of the Gospel and of Humanity [27]

• All other truths derive from Him.

The Bishop, Hearer and Guardian of the Word [28]

• Reverently safeguard and courageously proclaim the one deposit of revelation
• Holy Spirit "awakens in the Church different forms of charisms and services."

Authentic and Authoritative Service of the Word [29]

1. "The faithful need the word of their Bishop, they need to have their faith confirmed and purified."
2. Moreover, there is the need for "the initial proclamation of the word, the kerygma."
3. Bishops also have to be in the forefront of catechesis.
4. Provide initial and ongoing training for catechists and those engaged in religious education.
5. Need to carry on "open dialogue and cooperation with theologians," in fidelity and attentive "to changing historical circumstances."
6. They "must firmly defend the unity and integrity of the faith, judging with authority what is or is not in conformity with the word of God."

Episcopal ministry for the inculturation of the Gospel [30]

• They should "strive to ensure that the Gospel is proclaimed in its integrity, so as to shape the hearts of men and women and the customs of peoples."
• Training candidates to be good proclaimers and good communicators.

Preaching by Word and Example [31]

• Personal integrity: "we Bishops are our mission." (cf Tit 2:7-8)

IV. MINISTER OF THE GRACE OF THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD

"Sanctified in Jesus Christ, called to be saints" (1 Cor 1:2) [32]

• Prime and fundamental function
• The Liturgy, and the Holy Eucharist celebration in particular: source and summit of the Church's life

The Source and Summit of the Life of the Particular Church [33]

• Celebration of Eucharist and other sacraments esp. those that express the fulness his priesthood: Confirmation and Holy Orders
• Chrism Mass

The Importance of the Cathedral Church [34]

• Episcopal Chair: the physical and spiritual centre of unity and communion
• Chrism Mass

The Bishop, Moderator of the Liturgy as a Pedagogy of Faith [35]

• Promote liturgical celebrations: they are expressions of our faith.
• Liturgical norms
  1. Vigilance and care
  2. Firm and timely correction of abuses
  3. Elimination of arbitrary liturgical changes
  4. Dignity and authenticity in radio and television broadcasts

The centrality of the Lord's Day and the liturgical year [36]

• Bishop celebrating Sunday Mass in the Cathedral or in a parish is a sign of fidelity.
• Prepare Paschal Triduum well.

The Bishop as Minister of the Eucharistic Celebration [37]

• Eucharist is "essential principle of life" of both faithful and community
• "Source and summit of all evangelisation"
• "Source of the Church's whole missionary commitment"
• Celebrating the Eucharist is "the most compelling and important."
• Try to ensure that communities are not deprived of the Eucharist for long periods.

The Bishop's responsibility for Christian initiation [38]

1. "[O]bserve the prescriptions of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults."
2. "[R]egulate, in accordance with Church law, all matters involving the Christian initiation of children and young people."
3. "[E]nsure that he himself is its [Confirmation] usual celebrant."

The Bishop's Responsibilities in the Discipline of Penance [39]

1. Be "an exemplary minister of the sacrament of Penance."
2. "[H]ave regular and faithful recourse to that sacrament."
3. Exhort priests to esteem it and exercise it generously and with supernatural tact.
4. Encourage individual confession and be vigilant regarding practice of general absolution.
5. Form consciences so people receive the Eucharist in the state of grace.
6. Regulate ministers of exorcism and healing.

Attention to Popular Piety [40]

• Shaped and purified according to Christian principles
• Lead faithful "to personal encounter with Christ, fellowship with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints"

Promoting Holiness for all the Faithful [41]

1. "Promote a genuine pastoral and educational programme of holiness." (See Lumen Gentium Chapter V). Pastoral priority for the third millennium
2. Urge Bishops "to recognize and to call attention to the signs of holiness and heroic virtue which are also appearing in our own days, especially where these concern members of the lay faithful in their own Dioceses, above all Christian married couples. In appropriate cases, I encourage them to promote the relative processes of canonization."

V. THE PASTORAL GOVERNANCE OF THE BISHOP

"I have given you an example" (Jn 13:15). [42]

• The washing of the feet

The Bishop's Authority as Pastoral Service [43]

• Through "their counsel, exhortation and example, as well, indeed, as by their authority and sacred power."
• Life of holiness for it to be pastorally effective.

Pastoral Style of Governance and Diocesan Communion [44]

• Open to collaboration with everyone. Develop structures that make this possible.
• Nonetheless, the munus episcopale entails a clear and unequivocal right and duty of governance.
• "[T]heir potestas testandi fidem attains its fullness in the potestas iudicandi": evaluate and discipline. Takes personal responsibility.

The Elements of the Particular Church [45]

• The parish: fundamental unit in the daily life of the Diocese.

The Pastoral Visit [46]

• "an authentic time of grace and ... a special ... moment for encounter and dialogue"
• "Bishop should delegate to others the study of administrative questions and give first place to personal meetings, beginning with the parish priest and the other priests."

The Bishop with his Presbyterate [47]

• Closest collaborators
• Therefore, "strive to relate to his priests as a father and brother who loves them, listens to them, welcomes them, corrects them, supports them, seeks their cooperation and, as much as possible, is concerned for their human, spiritual, ministerial and financial well-being."
• Special mention
  1. young priests
  2. old priests
  3. wavering priests
  4. heroic priests

The Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood [48]

• Duties of the Bishop
  1. "[T]he force which inspires and forms vocations is primarily prayer. Vocations need a vast network of people who pray fervently to 'the Lord of the harvest'."
  2. Careful selection
  3. Providing "most suitable and appropriate means"
  4. Frequent seminary visits
  5. Have a "genuine personal knowledge of the candidates for the priesthood"
  6. Make every effort to provide financial support and assistance for young candidates
  7. Carry out necessary investigation for Holy Orders: careful inquiry and ample consultation
• Goals of formation
  1. mature and balanced personalities
  2. men capable of establishing sound human and pastoral relationships
  3. theological knowledge
  4. solid spiritual life
  5. love for the Church

The Bishop and Permanent Deacons [49]

1. Help discern and form
2. "[S]eek in every way possible to know personally all the candidates"
3. Be a father for them
4. Encourage them to love Body and Blood of Christ and His Mystical Body
5. "[E]xhort married deacons to lead an exemplary family life"

The Bishop's Concern for Persons of Consecrated Life [50]

1. "Bishop must esteem and promote the specific vocation and mission of the consecrated life."
2. Examine if there are witnesses of "heroic exercise of the virtues and ... take steps to begin the process of Canonisation," if deemed appropriate.
3. Follow guidelines of document Mutuae Relationes
4. For Institutes of diocesan right, special fatherly care

The Lay Faithful in the Pastoral Care of the Bishop [51]

• Duties of Bishops
  1. Support, encourage, help in accord with specific secular character
  2. Specific programmes of formation for laity to take on responsibilities within diocesan and parish structures
  3. Help them to be Christians of firm hope
  4. Regarding traditional associations and new ecclesial movements: foster complementarity and exercise vigilance over (i) development, (ii) formation of leaders, (iii) "adaptation to diocesan and parochial communities, from which they must not be separated"
  5. Ensure that these help promote vocations
• What lay faithful can do
  1. Evangelise culture, family, workplace, mass media, sports, leisure.
  2. Promote "Christian values in society and public life, both national and international."
  3. Exercise great influence in their environment and offer hope to all

The Bishop's Concern for the Family [52]

1. Ensure that values of marriage are supported and defended in civil society
2. Encourage preparation of engaged couples, guide young couples, form groups of families to support the family apostolate, assist families in trouble
3. "Support and enhance the work of Catholic schools, seeking to establish them where they do not yet exist and, to the extent of his ability, calling upon civil institutions to favour effective freedom of instruction within the country."

Young People, a Pastoral Priority for the Future [53]

1. Offer real responsibility and integral Christian formation
2. Train them to grow in charity, generosity, availability to serve others, chastity

The Promotion of Vocations [54]

1. "[A]ppeal to families, parish communities and educational institutes to assist boys and girls in discovering God's plan in their lives and in embracing the call to holiness which God from the beginning addresses to each person."
2. "Ensure that the pastoral care of young people and the promotion of vocations is entrusted to priests and to persons capable of passing on their love for Jesus by their enthusiasm and the example of their lives," through friendship and spiritual direction.

VI. IN THE COMMUNION OF THE CHURCHES

"Anxiety for all the Churches" (2 Cor 11:28) [55]

• "Each Bishop is consequently a kind of meeting-point between his particular Church and the universal Church, and a visible witness of the presence of the one Church of Christ within his particular Church."
• "In the Chair of Peter the Bishops, both as individuals and united among themselves as a College, find the perpetual and visible principle and foundation of unity in faith and of communion."

The Diocesan Bishop in Relation to the Church's Supreme Authority [56]

• Principle of subsidiarity: formulated by Pope Pius XI "with reference to civil society"
• Vatican Council II never employed the term, but encouraged reflection
• Synod Fathers considered the concept of subsidiarity ambiguous and called [instead] for study into the principle of COMMUNION
• Parameters of Communion:
  1. Diocesan Bishop enjoys a certain independent exercise of authority: ordinary, proper and immediate power.
  2. This power, however, "COEXISTS WITH THE SUPREME POWER OF THE ROMAN PONTIFF, which power is ITSELF EPISCOPAL, ORDINARY AND IMMEDIATE over ALL the individual Churches and their groups, and over ALL the pastors and faithful."
  3. Unity of the Church depends on unity of the episcopate. In turn this REQUIRES A HEAD of the College. Analogically, the particular Churches REQUIRE A HEAD of the Churches (the Church of Rome)
  4. Petrine Ministry and Episcopate require reciprocal communion. Hence, "the exercise of the supreme power of the Roman Pontiff does not destroy, but affirms, strengthens and vindicates the ordinary, proper and immediate power of each Bishop in his particular Church."

Visits "ad Limina Apostolorum" [57]

• Three principal moments:
  1. Pilgrimage to the tombs of Peter and Paul
  2. Meeting with Peter's Successor
  3. Meeting with those in charge of offices of the Roman Curia
• In addition to the ad limina visit, there is the quinquennial (five-year) report on the state of the Dioceses.

The Synod of Bishops [58]

• Instituted by Paul VI to assist Roman Pontiff
• Ordinarily a consultative body. "It is the role of the Synod of Bishops to discuss the questions on their agenda and to express their desires about them but not to resolve them or issue decrees about them, unless the Roman Pontiff in certain cases has endowed the Synod with deliberative power, and, in this event, it is his role to ratify its decision." (CCC 343)

Communion between the Bishops and the Churches at the Local Level [59]

• "Every action of the Bishop carried out in the exercise of his proper pastoral ministry is always an action carried out in the College."
• As a family of God, there will be a "sharing of experiences and pastoral workers, and financial aid."
• Solidarity especially for those Bishops who are suffering.
• Bishops Emeritus: (i) respect and gratitude; (ii) ensure spiritual and financial security; (iii) possibility of continuing contribution from them

The Eastern Catholic Churches [60]

• These, because of their "spiritual, historical, theological, liturgical and disciplinary closeness to the Orthodox Churches and the other Eastern Churches not yet fully in communion with the Catholic Church, are especially entitled to contribute to the promotion of Christian unity, especially in the East."

The Patriarchal Churches and their Synods [61]

• Institutions found in the Eastern Catholic Churches
  1. "proper discipline and liturgical usage"
  2. "common theological and spiritual heritage"
  3. "preserve the unity of faith and the one divine constitution of the universal Church"
  4. "have given birth to other Churches" ... linked with them through charity and mutual respect
• Patriarchate
  • Ancient origin (Cf Council of Nicea)
  • Traditional form of governance in the Eastern Churches
  • Ecclesiastical origin and structure. New patriarchates can be set up when needed by an ecumenical council or the Roman Pontiff.
  • Patriarchs and Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Churches: participate in supreme authority of Roman Pontiff
  • Bishops head a Patriarchal Church. Patriarch is Bishop of the Patriarchal Eparchy.
• Patriarchal Synod
  • Synodality practised since ancient times.
  • This is a form of collegial action which requires a primus: the Patriarch.
  • Possesses true power of governance
    1. Elects Patriarch and Bishops within the territory
    2. Chooses candidates for episcopacy for those beyond the territory. These are proposed to Roman Pontiff for appointment.
    3. Consent or consultation needed for validity of certain acts of Patriarch.
    4. Can issue laws binding within confines of Patriarchal Church.
    5. Can issue liturgical laws which may also be binding outside its confines.
    6. Patriarchal Assembly is convened by Patriarch every five years. It is a consultative body which advises on "forms and modalities of the apostolate and ecclesiastical discipline."

The organization of the Metropolitan See and of Ecclesiastical Provinces [62]

• Another ancient institution.
• Metropolitan: "instrument and sign both of fraternity between Bishops of the Province and of their communion with the Roman Pontiff."
• Plenary Councils may also be constituted in the same Region
• Particular Councils: consultative; involves all faithful; its role cannot be taken over by the Episcopal Conferences; expresses communion not only of Bishops but also of Churches

Episcopal Conferences [63]

• Preferred avenue for exchange, consultation, expression
• Expresses communion of Bishops, and only INDIRECTLY that of Churches (contrast with Particular Councils)
• "On the level of the individual Church, the Diocesan Bishop, in the Lord's name, shepherds the flock entrusted to him as a proper, ordinary and immediate pastor, and his acts are STRICTLY PERSONAL, NOT COLLEGIAL, albeit prompted by a spirit of communion."
• Exercise of pastoral care by Bishops in an Episcopal Conference is NOT "comparable to those of the College of Bishops, which as a theological subject is INDIVISIBLE."
• Excessive bureaucracy to be avoided.
• Episcopal Conference is NOT an intermediate structure between the Holy See and the individual Bishops.

The Church's Unity and Ecumenical Dialogue [64]

• A goal to work for but always observing "the correct principles of ecumenical dialogue."

Missionary spirit in the episcopal ministry [65]

• "It is the duty of the Bishop to bring about, promote and direct missionary activities and initiatives in his Diocese, including the provision of financial support."
• Promote healthy missionary activity within his particular Church.
• Deeper reflection on "relationship between Diocesan Bishops and missionary Religious Congregations."
• Expand commitment to mission.

VII. THE BISHOP BEFORE THE CHALLENGES OF THE PRESENT

"Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world!" (Jn 16:33) [66]

• Shepherd, defender of the truth, confidence and courage, burning love

The Bishop, Promoter of Justice and Peace [67]

• ''During this Synod, we could not close our eyes to many other collective tragedies... A drastic moral change is needed... Some endemic evils, when they are too long ignored, can produce despair in entire populations."
  1. hunger and extreme poverty
  2. the flood of refugees and immigrants because of war, political oppression or economic discrimination
  3. ravages of malaria, the spread of AIDS
  4. illiteracy
  5. the hopelessness of so many children and youth abandoned to life on the streets
  6. the exploitation of women
  7. pornography
  8. intolerance
  9. the unacceptable exploitation of religion for violent purposes
  10. drug trafficking and the sale of arms
  11. "the list is not exhaustive!"
• "Still, in the midst of all this distress, the humble take new heart. The Lord looks at them and strengthens them. 'Because they rob the afflicted, and the needy sigh, now I will arise,' says the Lord" (Ps 12:5).
• Appeal for peace. No to vengeance.

Interreligious Dialogue, Especially on Behalf of World Peace [68]

• "The different religious traditions possess the resources needed to overcome divisions and to build reciprocal friendship and respect."
• Nonetheless, "interreligious dialogue can never be a substitute for the proclamation and propagation of the faith, which constitute the primary goal of the Church's preaching, catechesis and mission."

Civil, Social and Economic life [69]

• "Globalisation in charity."
• Three concomitant points of reference on globalisation:
  1. dignity of the human person
  2. solidarity
  3. subsidiarity

Respect for the Environment and the Protection of Creation [70]

• Need for "human ecology"
• Recall man's stewardship

The Bishop's Ministry in the Field of Health [71]

• Promote an authentic culture of life.

The Bishop's Pastoral Care of Migrants [72]

• Study structures that can provide for movements of peoples.

CONCLUSION

• "Dimitte turbas... Send the crowd away...'' (Lk 9:12). Anxiety about number of problems to address.
• Where to find the resources:
  1. Love of God and hope in Him.
  2. The Church
  3. Communion of Bishops together with Peter's Successor
  4. One's own particular Church
• Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and Queen of the Apostles