DYPLOMACJA WATYKAŃSKA I SOBORY JAKO SPEKTAKULARNE PRZEJAWY ODNOWY ŻYCIA RELIGIJNO-KOŚCIELNEGO INICJOWANE PRZEZ STOLICĘ APOSTOLSKĄ
Since the end of the ninth century in many Christian countries in Europe already existed special representatives of the Holy See for the set- tlement of church-political problems, which were resolved according to the rules of canon law and international law. The purpose of these pope delegates, of different degrees of competence (depending on the time and political and social circumstances) is the regulation of relations between the Church and individual states so that the former could effectively ful- fill its mission of evangelization. Whilst the aim of Vatican diplomacy (of various degrees) is to create favorable conditions for the functioning of the local Church, insomuch in relation to the dogmatic and disciplinary issues the decisive vote belongs to the general assembly of bishops under the leadership of the Pope, so the general council. Both the one and the other form of activity is an eloquent manifestation – throughout history – of the renewal of religious and ecclesiastical life, initiated by the Holy See.
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