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36. From the very first centuries of the Church bishops, as rulers
of individual churches, were deeply moved by the communion of fraternal
charity and zeal for the universal mission entrusted to the Apostles.
And so they pooled their abilities and their wills for the common good
and for the welfare of the individual churches. Thus came into being
synods, provincial councils and plenary councils in which bishops
established for various churches the way to be followed in teaching the
truths of faith and ordering ecclesiastical discipline.
This sacred ecumenical synod earnestly desires that the venerable
institution of synods and councils flourish with fresh vigor. In such
a way faith will be deepened and discipline preserved more fittingly and
efficaciously in the various churches, as the needs of the times
require.
37. In these days especially bishops frequently are unable to
fulfill their office effectively and fruitfully unless they develop a
common effort involving constant growth in harmony and closeness of ties
with other bishops. Episcopal conferences already established in many
nations-have furnished outstanding proofs of a more fruitful
apostolate. Therefore, this sacred synod considers it to be supremely
fitting that everywhere bishops belonging to the same nation or region
form an association which would meet at fixed times. Thus, when the
insights of prudence and experience have been shared and views
exchanged, there will emerge a holy union of energies in the service of
the common good of the churches.
Wherefore, this sacred synod decrees the following concerning
episcopal conferences:
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1) An episcopal conference is, as it were, a council in
which the bishops of a given nation or territory jointly exercise their
pastoral office to promote the greater good which the Church offers
mankind, especially through the forms and methods of the apostolate
fittingly adapted to the circumstances of the age.
2) Members of the episcopal conference are all local Ordinaries
of every rite-excluding vicar generals-and coadjutors, auxiliaries
and other titular bishops who perform a special work entrusted to them
by the Apostolic See or the episcopal conferences. Other titular
bishops, legates of the Roman pontiff, because of their exceptional
office in the territory are not de iure members of the conferences.
Local Ordinaries and coadjutors hold a deliberative vote.
Auxiliaries and other bishops who have a right to attend the conference
will hold either a deliberative or a consultative vote, as the statutes
of the conference determine.
3) Each episcopal conference is to draft its own statutes for
recognition by the Apostolic See. In these statutes, among other
things, offices should be established which will aid in achieving its
purpose more efficaciously, for example, a permanent board of
bishops, episcopal commissions and a general secretariat.
4) Decisions of the episcopal conference, provided they have been
approved legitimately and by the votes of at least two-thirds of the
prelates who have a deliberative vote in the conference, and have been
recognized by the Apostolic See, are to have juridically binding
force only in those cases prescribed by the common law or determined by
a special mandate of the Apostolic See, given either spontaneously or
in response to a petition of the conference itself.
5) Wherever special circumstances require and with the approbation
of the Apostolic See, bishops of many nations can establish a single
conference.
Communications between episcopal conferences of different nations
should be especially encouraged in order to promote and safeguard the
common good.
6) It is highly recommended that the prelates of the Oriental
Churches, promoting the discipline of their own churches in synods and
efficaciously fostering works for the good of religion, should take
into account also the common good of the whole territory where many
churches of different rites exist. They should exchange views at
inter-ritual meetings in keeping with norms to be given by the
competent authority.
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