Canonical Norms of the Eastern Church Concerning the Participation of the Laity in the Exercise of Teaching Power
Canonical Norms of the Eastern Church Concerning the Participation of the Laity in the Exercise of Teaching Power

Summary/Abstract: The theme of this article was approached from both theological and canonical-juridical perspectives, which allowed me to examine and evaluate the texts of the canonical legislation of the Eastern Church concerning the participation of the laity in the exercise of the teaching power, not only from the standpoint of canonical doctrine, but also from the perspective of the dogmatic and liturgical doctrine of this Church. This scientific approach also enabled me to ascertain that one may indeed speak of the participation of the laity – who belong to the degrees of the clergy of human institution – in catechetical, missionary, and teaching activities, provided that they are instituted through chirothesia (χειροθεσία) by the local bishop. For this reason, I also highlighted the role of the ritual of the laying on of hands, which, in the case of the clergy of divine institution, represented ordination (χειροτονίας), while for the clerics of human institution (cf. can. 2 ap.) it signified chirothesia, that is, a consecration for ministry in the Church. I also investigated and examined certain early documentary testimonies of primary importance in order to clarify the canonical-juridical status of the laity, including women, in the exercise of the Church’s teaching power. This analysis led me to conclude that the laity were called to confess and defend the Christian faith and to contribute to its transmission by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, being blessed for this purpose by His Apostles and their successors, within the sphere of authority of apostolic succession, namely, by the bishops of the Church.

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