Parish in the Catholic Tradition : History, Theology and Canon Law

by Coriden, James A.

• ISBN13: 9780809136858
• ISBN10: 0809136856
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-12-01
• Publisher: Paulist Pr

Summary

This volume", says James Coriden in his introduction, "... allows the reader to reach an accurate understanding of the authentic nature and function of parishes within the Catholic tradition". It describes the origins of parishes and their historical evolution, offers a theology of parish as a local church, links parishes to the church's social teaching and provides a comprehensive overview of their function in Roman Catholic law and their relationship to American civil law. In clear, nontechnical language, the volume outlines the canonical status of Catholics as parishioners - as well as their rights, duties and forms of assembly and the relationship of parishes to other ecclesial and civil bodies. Ministerial students, clerical and lay ministers, members of parish councils and laypersons generally will find this book an indispensable handbook for living and working within parish communities. Christians of other denominations will make fruitful connections between their own congregational life and Roman Catholic experience.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations	vii
Introduction	1	(8)
The Purpose and Scope of the Book	1	(1)
An Overview	2	(1)
Parishes and Dioceses	3	(2)
Parishes as Communities	5	(1)
Acknowledgments	6	(3)
1. Biblical Sources	9	(9)
Jesus and the Jerusalem Church	9	(1)
Paul and His Churches	10	(3)
The Next Generation	13	(1)
Those Who Belonged	14	(1)
The Concept of Communion	14	(1)
The Word Church	15	(3)
2. A History of Parishes	18	(23)
Introductory Notes	18	(1)
The Meaning of the Word Parish	19	(1)
Churches in Urban Centers	20	(1)
Churches in Communion	21	(1)
The Proliferation of Local Churches	22	(2)
Baptismal Churches	24	(2)
Proprietary Churches	26	(2)
The Benefice System	28	(1)
Collegiate Churches in the Cities	29	(1)
Parish Life and Church Reform	30	(2)
The Missions	32	(2)
The Modern State and the Industrial Revolution	34	(1)
The American Experience of Parish	35	(4)
Parish Activities	39	(2)
3. A Theology of the Local Church	41	(11)
Before the Second Vatican Council	42	(2)
The Teaching of the Council	44	(2)
Development Since the Council	46	(6)
4. The Parish and the Church's Social Teaching	52	(7)
The Right of Association	52	(2)
The Common Good	54	(1)
The Principle of Solidarity	55	(1)
The Principle of Subsidiarity	56	(3)
5. The Parish in Canon Law	59	(12)
A Community of the Faithful	59	(2)
Those Who Belong to the Parish Community	61	(2)
Active Involvement	63	(1)
The Parish as Juridic Person: Subject of Rights and Duties	64	(2)
Activities of the Parish Community in Canon Law	66	(2)
Other Catholic Communities	68	(3)
6. Parish Rights and Obigations	71	(11)
A List of Parish and Obligations	72	(8)
Limitations on Rights and Obligations	80	(2)
7. Claiming Parish Rights	82	(10)
The Parish and the Diocese	82	(2)
Those Who Can Claim Parish Rights	84	(2)
How the Rights of Parishes Can Be Vindicated	86	(4)
In Conclusion	90	(2)
8. Pastoral Ministry in the Parish	92	(9)
Pastoral Care	93	(1)
The Elements of Pastoral Care	94	(2)
The Organization of Parish Ministries	96	(5)
9. Parish Relationships	101	(7)
Parish and Diocese	101	(2)
Parish and Deanery or Vicariate	103	(1)
Parish-to-Parish Connections	104	(1)
Ecumenical Relationships	105	(1)
Parish and the City	106	(2)
10. Parishes in American Law	108	(13)
Ownership of Parish Property	109	(1)
Ministerial Status	110	(1)
Parish Liability: Contracts, Torts, Agency	111	(1)
The Parish as Employer	112	(2)
The Parish as Property Owner	114	(2)
Copyright Law	116	(1)
The Parish and Federal Income Taxes	117	(1)
The Parish and Other Laws	118	(3)
Conclusion	121	(3)
Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi	121	(1)
Vatican II	122	(1)
A Challenge to Parishes	122	(2)
Case Studies	124	(6)
Index	130	(3)
About the Author	133