The Decline of Presbyteral Collegiality and the Growth of the Individualization of the Priesthood (4th-5th Centuries)
During the period of the 4th-5th centuries, the presbyterate underwent significant changes : Though the presbyterate remained radically collegial in nature, it became much more individualized in appearance and functioning. Its radical collegial nature was preserved through its basic unity with, and...
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Peeters
1981
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| In: |
Recherches de théologie ancienne et médiévale
Year: 1981, Volume: 48, Pages: 14-58 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | During the period of the 4th-5th centuries, the presbyterate underwent significant changes : Though the presbyterate remained radically collegial in nature, it became much more individualized in appearance and functioning. Its radical collegial nature was preserved through its basic unity with, and dependence upon, the bishop, its head; a unity and dependence guaranteed by the reservation of the power of ordination to the bishop, and by other legislative stipulations intended to "wed" the presbyter to his own bishop and to a particular local church. Its more individualized appearance and functioning was fostered as individual presbyters were assigned to various "titles" or "parishes", as they began celebrating the Eucharist singly in various locations as a regular practice, and as bishops engaged them less frequently as consultors in decision-making for their local churches. As a result of these changes, the first theologies of the priesthood formulated during this era were deficient : They seriously neglected the radical unity of these two functionaries in their being diverse members of one single ministerial college serving the local church. Further, though these early theologies attributed a superiority of "powers" or "rights" in leadership to the bishop, they highlighted a basic equality between bishop and presbyter : Each possessed equal "power" to confect and to celebrate the Eucharist. The effect of such a perspective and understanding of the ministries of bishop and presbyter served only to further the decline of the collegial understanding and functioning of the presbyterate, and to center the focus of future ages upon Eucharistic ministry rather than upon collegial leadership of a local church as the key to understanding and exercising the ministry of the priesthood of orders. |
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| ISSN: | 2593-2896 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Recherches de théologie ancienne et médiévale
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