THE REAL PRESENCE

CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST

Vatican II

DECREE ON THE PASTORAL OFFICE OF BISHOPS IN THE CHURCH

CHRISTUS DOMINUS

Excerpts on the Eucharist

Proclaimed By His Holiness, Pope Paul VI on October 28, 1968

CHAPTER II: BISHOPS IN RELATION TO THEIR OWN CHURCHES OR DIOCESES

I. DIOCESAN BISHOPS

11. A diocese is a section of the People of God entrusted to a bishop to be guided by him with the assistance of his clergy so that, loyal to its pastor and formed by him into one community in the Holy Spirit through the Gospel and the Eucharist, it constitutes one particular church in which the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church of Christ is truly present and active.

14. Bishops should be especially concerned about catechetical instruction. Its function is to develop in men a living, explicit and active faith, enlightened by doctrine. It should be very carefully imparted, not only to children and adolescents but also to young people and even to adults. In imparting this instruction the teachers must observe an order and method suited not only to the matter in hand but also to the character, the ability, the age and the life-style of their audience. This instruction should be based on holy scripture, tradition, liturgy, and on the teaching authority and life of the church.

It is therefore bishops who are the principal dispensers of the mysteries of God, and it is their function to control, promote and protect the entire liturgical life of the Church entrusted to them.[8] They should therefore see to it that the faithful know and live the paschal mystery more deeply through the Eucharist, forming one closely-knit body, united by the charity of Christ;[9] "devoting themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4).[10] They should aim to make of one mind in prayer all who are entrusted to their care, and to ensure their advancement in grace through the reception of the sacraments, and that they become faithful witnesses to the Lord.

Those associations also should be inaugurated or encouraged which have, either directly or indirectly, a supernatural object such as the attainment of a more perfect life, the preaching of the gospel of Christ to all men, the promotion of Christian doctrine or of public worship, the pursuit of social aims, or the practice of works of piety or charity.

III. THOSE WHO COOPERATE WITH THE DIOCESAN BISHOP IN HIS PASTORAL TASK

C. The diocesan clergy

 

In carrying out their work of sanctification parish priests should ensure that the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice is the center and culmination of the entire life of the Christian community. It should also be their aim to ensure that the faithful receive spiritual nourishment from a frequent and devout reception of the sacraments and from an attentive and fervent participation in the liturgy.

 

D. Religious

 

(4) All religious, whether exempt or non-exempt, are subject to the authority of the local ordinary in the following matters: public worship, without prejudice, however, to the diversity of rites; the care of souls; preaching to the people; the religious and moral education, catechetical instruction and liturgical formation of the faithful, especially of children.