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What is episcopal collegiality in Roman Catholic teaching?
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St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.
In Roman Catholic teaching, episcopal collegiality is the principle that bishops, as successors to the Apostles, form a body or "college" that shares responsibility for the teaching, sanctification, and governance of the universal church.123
Key aspects of this doctrine include:
- Unity with the Pope: The college of bishops is never considered separate from its head, the pope. The pope and the bishops are joined together, and the college exercises supreme authority over the universal church only in communion with him.42
- Vatican II Clarification: While Vatican I emphasized papal primacy, the Second Vatican Council (1962β65) restored an ancient emphasis on collegiality, clarifying that bishops are not merely vicars of the pope but possess authority proper to their office by divine institution.42
- Teaching Authority: Collegiality serves as a framework for maintaining orthodox doctrine. What is taught by all bishops in communion with the Roman pontiff is considered "ordinary teaching," while "extraordinary teaching" occurs through ecumenical councils or solemn papal definitions.3
This concept reflects the ancient tradition of bishops acting in concert, historically manifested through synods and councils.13