MODELS of the Church

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MODELS of the Church

• Historical Institution
• Spiritual communio
• Community of Disciples (Avery Dulles)
• Universal call to holiness (Vatican II)

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Titles of the Pope!

• Bishop of Rome
• Vicar of Jesus Christ
• Successor of St. Peter
• Supreme Pontiff
• Patriarch of the West
• Primate of Italy
• Metropolitan of the Province of Rome
• Sovereign of the State of Vatican City

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The Universal Church
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The Roman Curiahttp//www.vatican.va/roman_curia/
index.htm
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The Particular Church
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Communio

• mystery of communion
• vertical (with God) horizontal (with others)
• visible (juridic bonds) invisible (grace of
  Spirit)
• ontological temporal priority
• Trinitarian ... eternal life / ecstastic relation
• Incarnational ... receptivity / service
• Ecclesiological ... structural / charismatic
• Sacramental ... baptism / eucharist

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The Development of DISCIPLES

• at the time of Jesus
• disciples all followers / 12 apostles (Peter)
• alternative society ... rules of life / share
  in suffering
• post-Easter community
• disciples believers ... heroic witness
  (martyrs)
• community recognized for life style (charity)
• later Christian society
• discipleship personal (interior values vs.
  world)
• community ... religious life (enclosure, vows)

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Dimensions of COMMUNITY

• Cultic basis
• liturgy constitutive act of church community
• sacraments privileged moment of Christs
  presence
• Corporate faith
• personal commitment (relationality)
• intellectual assent (authority)
• Evangelical mission
• proclamation ... living examples of the Word
• service ... living examples of Justice

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Universal Call to Holiness(Vatican II, Lumen
Gentium, 40)

• Thus it is evident to everyone, that all the
  faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status,
  are called to the fullness of the Christian life
  and to the perfection of charity by this
  holiness as such a more human manner of living is
  promoted in this earthly society. In order that
  the faithful may reach this perfection, they must
  use their strength accordingly as they have
  received it, as a gift from Christ. They must
  follow in His footsteps and conform themselves to
  His image seeking the will of the Father in all
  things. They must devote themselves with all
  their being to the glory of God and the service
  of their neighbor. In this way, the holiness of
  the People of God will grow into an abundant
  harvest of good, as is admirably shown by the
  life of so many saints in Church history.