Mount Carmel College of Escalante, Inc.

Escalante City, Negros Occidental

College Department

Course Title Church History/Liturgy Course Code REL.ED 4

BSBA
Department Teacher Education Year Level BSED-FIL
BEED

Semester Second Semester Academic 2021

(Prelim) Year

Module No.1 Fundamental aspects of the Church Chapter No.

Lesson No.1 Origin and Nature of the Church Date

Intended At the end of the lesson the student will be able to:
Learning
Outcome 1. recognize and explain the fundamental aspects of the church as an
instrument of Christ’s saving presence in the world;
2. trace the historical development of the church through times.
3. forement love for and service to the church.
Introduction

The early Christian community used the Hebrew word qahal – the chosen people, the family
of the Lord – to fittingly describe themselves in God’s plan. Later the Greek word ekklesia (Latin,
ecclesia ) began to emerge that describe the church as the assembly of the chosen people
before God, above all for their assembly on Mount Sinai where Israel received the Law and was
established by God as his holy people. Applied to the Christian community alone, the word
ekklesia stresses the action of God in calling the people together. It designates the people of
God as a whole and the manifestation of these people in particular places. Thus, the church is a
faith-assembly whose root cause is God’s free call to share His divine goodness and love in
Christ. (CFC,1355).

Pre – Activity

Answer briefly:

1. What is the Church?

2. What is the difference between church and a building?
Discussion

The Church is the congregation of all baptized persons united in the same true faith, the
same sacrifice, and the same sacraments under the authority of the Sovereign Pontiff and the
bishops in communion with him.

Since baptism, according to the ruling of Christ, is the gateway to the Church, a person
becomes a member of the Church on receiving this sacraments. To remain a real member of
the Church after Baptism a person must profess the one true faith and must not withdraw from
the unity of the body of the Church in schism or heresy or be excommunicated by legitimate
authority because of serious sins. Even schismatics, heretics, and those excommunicated are
subjects of the Church and are obliged by its laws unless exempted by the Church.

Jesus Christ founded the Church

Christ completed the founding of His Church just before His Ascension, when He
commissioned the apostles to make disciples of all nations. Earlier in His public ministry He had
instituted the sacraments, chosen the twelve apostles, instructed them by word and example,
and conferred on them the power of teaching, ruling, and sanctifying.
The Gospels show that Christ founded the Church in the form of a visible, hierarchical
society, that is one made up of subjects and superiors who rightfully rule the subjects. The
Roman Pontiff and the bishops under him are the ruling hierarchy of the Church. The Church is
also a monarchical society in which the Pope rules with full power, that is, with jurisdiction over
the entire Church. Peter was the first head of the Church founded by Christ.
After Pentecost Sunday the apostles began to carry out their mission. Which through them
and their successors continues and will continue until the end of time.

To bring all men to eternal salvation

Jesus Christ founded the Church to bring all men to eternal salvation. The Church instituted
by Christ is the only way to eternal salvation. Christ gave the Church the means whereby man
can be sanctified and saved.
The Church can bring all men to salvation by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who gives it
life. Although the work of salvation is the result of the operation of all three persons of the
Blessed Trinity, it is specially the result of the Redemption by Christ, and because this work is
one of divine love it is attributed to the Holy Spirit, who is the soul of the Church, of which
Christ is the Head.
The dwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Church was first visibly manifested on the Pentecost
Sunday, when He came down upon the apostles in the form of tongues of fire. The Holy Spirit
will dwell in the Church until the end of time. Christ foretold that the Holy Spirit would dwell in
the Church until the end of time.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Church

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables the Church to teach (proclaim the truths of divine
revelation taught by Christ), to sanctify (bring grace to the world through the sacraments), and
to rule the faithful in the name of Christ.

Teaching, sanctifying, and ruling in the name of Christ

By teaching, sanctifying, and ruling in the name of Christ is meant that the Church always
does the will of its Divine Founder, who remains forever its invisible Head. The will of the
founder of the Church is expressed in the commission He gave to His apostles to teach all
nations, to baptize them, and to have them observe all the things He had commanded. This
commission, as well as the guarantee that Christ would be with His Church until the end of
time, is related in the Gospel.
Christ gave the power to teach, to sanctify, and to rule the members of His Church to the
apostles, the first bishops of the Church.
Christ intended that this power should be exercised also by their successors, the bishops of
the Church. Christ founded the Church to last until the end of time. The apostles lived for a
short time only. Christ must, then, have intended that the apostles provide duly authorized
successors to carry on the work of teaching, sanctifying, and ruling.
The Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of saint Paul contain references to the work done
by the successors of the apostles.

A special power in His Church

Christ gave special power in His Church to Saint Peter by making him the head of the
apostles and the chief teacher and ruler of the entire Church.
The power of the keys was promised to Saint Peter and was actually conferred on him. Saint
Peter was recognized by the early Christians from the beginnings as the head of the Church.
Christ did not intend that the special power should be exercised by Saint Peter alone, but
intended that this power should be passed down to his successor, the Pope, Bishop of Rome,
who is the Vicar of Christ on earth and the visible head of the Church.

The Pope, bishops and priests

A successor to Saint Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, was required as chief teacher and ruler
for the same reason that successors were required for the other apostles. From the very
beginning it was acknowledged by the Church that the successor of Saint Peter as Bishop of
Rome was at the same time the head of the entire Church. This successor of Saint Peter is called
the Pope.
The bishops of the Church are the successors of the apostles because they have received
their power of orders by valid consecration through an unbroken line of successors of the
apostles, and have received their power of jurisdiction through their union with the Pope, the
successor of Saint Peter.
The priest, especially parish priests assist the bishops in the care of souls. Although all priests
assist the bishop of a diocese in the care of souls, parish priests are given the definite care of a
section of a diocese, which called a parish and is of ecclesiastical institution.

The laity and consecrated members of the Church

The laity of the Church are all its members who do not belong to the clerical or to the
religious state. The laity can help the Church in her care of souls by leading lives that will reflect
credit on the Church, and by co-operating with their bishops and priests, especially through
Catholic Action.
The consecrated or religious include men and women who embrace a community life and
make the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Those who are preparing to embrace the
religious state are called aspirants, postulants, or novices.
Religious and clerics enjoy special canonical privileges and have many more obligations than
lay people have. Among the laity are secular persons who have embraced the state of celibacy
or virginity, or the matrimonial state.

Application
Summary

The life and mission of the early Christian community after Jesus Christ ascended to heaven/
It presents how their faith was challenged by torture, persecution, and even death. There
where those who remained in Christ. All these show the reality of difficulty in following Jesus.
But above all these, it emphasizes God’s loving presence in guiding, protecting, strengthening,
and inspiring the Church in the course of time. Indeed faith is a process strengthened by time
and forged by love for God and others.
Post Activity

Thinking Beyond Facts

1. Divide into groups of 6-7 members. Discuss among your groupmates the answers the
answer to the given scenario below.
a.) If your group could send a delegation to Rome to advice the Pope on what young people
think the Church should be doing, list three issues the Pope should address in the coming year.
b.) Why do you see these issues are so important?
c.) Is there anything you as a young Christian can do to resolve these issues?
 Mount Carmel College of Escalante, Inc.
Escalante City, Negros Occidental
College Department

Course Title Church History/Liturgy Course Code REL.ED 4

BSBA
Department Teacher Education Year Level BSED-FIL
BEED

Semester Second Semester Academic 2021

(Prelim) Year

Module No.2 Fundamental aspects of the Church Chapter No.

Lesson No.2 Models of the Church Date

Intended At the end of the lesson the student will be able to:
Learning
Outcome 1. recognize and explain the fundamental aspects of the church as an
instrument of Christ’s saving presence in the world;
2. trace the historical development of the church through times.
3. forement love for and service to the church.

Introduction

The Church has been described in many ways with the help of models and images that can
help deepen our understanding and appreciation of the church.
Pre – Activity

Describe a time when you felt you accomplished work for God and the church.

Discussion

Church as Institution

In this model, the Church is seen as the perfect society, as a political society alongside other
government. This is the Roman side of the Roman Catholicism, the structure of which was
designed after the brilliance of hierarchical (vs. representative or democratic) administration of
the Roman Empire, whose virtues were efficiency and accountability. The Church is seen as on
the giving (vs. receiving) end of the three functions of teaching, sanctifying and governing. The
main focus of this model is within, toward those already in the institution vs. those outside. The
Scriptural foundation of this model is Mt. 16:18: You are Peter and upon this rock, I will build
my church. The advantages of this model are strong endorsement by official Church documents
in the past few centuries, continuity with the past and a strong sense of corporate identity. Its
liabilities are the relatively few scriptural affirmation of structure, a de-emphasis of the the
charismatic and prophetic roles of the Church, the diminishment of critical and exploratory
theology, the exclusion of non-Catholic Christians Churches and monopolism out off sync our
pluralistic age.

Church as Community

This model stresses the personal and the interpersonal, the fellowship of persons with God
and with each other. It stems from the house church structure of the first decades of
Christianity, wherein the associations were face-to-face, the organization is fluid, relations were
covenantal (vs.contractual), the numbers small (30-40) and the participants intimate. The
Scriptural precedent is strong: the Church is the Body of Christ ( Rom 12,1Cor 12) and the
people of God (1Pt 2:9). As a body, the church is a vital, organic, growing structure.
Christ is the head (Eph 1:22;5:23). The Church and its individual members depend on Christ
as the whole depends on its head. Christ communicates through His Spirit (Jn 16:5-15); and
governs the whole Church, individually and entirely through the visible hierarchy- the Pope and
bishops whom He has given the teaching and sanctifying powers.
The Holy Spirit is the soul. The Spirit gives life to, unifies and moves the whole Body of Christ.
One receives the Spirit of Christ during Baptism. It is He who pours out the divine life that
makes the soul one with the Church.
The members are diverse yet together they form one body. The members have diverse gift
and functions yet they work together for the benefit of the entire body (1Cor 12:1-13,21-31;Eph
4:7-16).
As the people of God (1Pt 2:9), the church open its identity to the world, calling all peoples
to be part of it (LG 13). This model has been prefigured by the People of Israel with whom
Yahweh established the old covenant. In the fullness of time God, who desired to save all men,
called and formed a new people in Christ who will acknowledge Him in truth and serves Him in
holiness. Thus the Church is the New People of God in which through baptism believers are
born as a new community, God’s chosen people, people of the covenant, the messianic people.
They share in Christ’s threefold offices as priest, prophet and servant-king (LG 10-12).

Church as Sacrament

Just as Christ is the Sacrament (the visible form of an invisible grace) of God, so the Church is
the Sacrament of Christ. As sacrament, the church is a visible sign that effectively makes
present Christ’s redeeming presence and activity offered to all persons of every age , race and
condition. By her unique relationship with Christ, the church has become a sign and instrument
of God’s grace; our unity with God and with one another; and salvation.
This model challenges the Church to be more like Christ in its dealings with everyone. Since
the Eucharist is the central Sacrament of the seven, the Church takes on the challenge of being
prayerful, liturgical presence in the world while at the same time calling the world to table
fellowship, that is, to the condition of cooperation, friendship and exchange which are the
characteristics of those who dine together. Scriptural basis for this model is (1Pt 2:9): But you
are chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people. Paul, in writing about
marriage as a Sacrament ( Greek :musterion )of the relation between Christ and the Church (Ep
5:32), implies that the Church is also sacramental. This model brings out the symbolic quality of
human life itself, that we are not yet what we are called to be while ate the same time not
discouraged from seeking what we not yet are. In short, the church is called to be saintly while
clearly not yet “ all there.”
Still, sacraments are efficacious, that is, they produce what they signify. So the church is holy,
not by dint of its own merits, but by the grace of God, which sanctifies the Church in Christ. The
advantage of this model is its ability to serve as job description for the Church, along which its
performance can be evaluated. A disadvantage is that the job description might not clearly
identify the outward or apostolic mission of the Church.

Church as Herald

This model gives prominence to a theology of word: That Jesus, as the Word of God (Jn 1),
preaches the word (gospel as good news) of the kingdom (Mk 1:15) and commissions his
disciples to spread that word and Word (message and Person) to all people (Mt 28;Acts 2). The
job description of the Church as Herald is clear: to evangelize, that is, to receive the good news
and to pass it on. A danger of this model is that words can become formulaic (lose their context
and be reduced to magic or meaningless formulae). Another disadvantage is that one might
limit Revelation to the Bible and forget that Tradition (a faithful handing on of essential truths).
A third caution is that this model might neglect action as the way to fulfil the word.

Church as Servant

This model sets the church in a subordinate role to the world, just as Jesus washed his
disciples’ feet and commissioned them to do likewise (Jn13:34). This model inspired Church
sponsored institutions of charity (hospitals, soup kitchen, sanctuaries, prison chaplaincies) as
well as prophetic voices which speak out against societal injustice (pacifism, human rights
advocacy, political lobbying, etc.) A danger of this model is that one may be tempted to think
subordination means obedience to the world, whereas the Church serves the world by obeying
God. It is easy to get co-opted by political movements and worldly values like consumerism.
Another danger is secularism itself, which values human action but ignores the spiritual basis
for Christian service. A spiritual foundation for service can prevent burnout, the
discouragement that results when intractable social problems do not seem affected by one’s
efforts to help.

Church as School of Discipleship

This model incorporates the process of learning (disciples mean learner) into the job
description of the Church. Indeed, becoming organized, communal, holy, evangelical and
serving all involve the Church in the process of education which not only informs a person but
forms him and her, and transforms as well. Jesus spent all of his public life gathering and
educating disciples. The sensitivity of the Church to different conditions of the learner has lead
to distinction, not only between pedagogy (children’s education) and andragogy (adult
education), but among stages of evangelization (the process of receiving and spreading the
good news). Dangers in this model arise from failing to recognize appropriate conditions of the
learner.

Other images of the church from the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the
Church, Lumen Gentium:

As mystery, the church is a reality imbued with God’s hidden presence; opens to new and
greater explorations; and has a unique relationship with God and all her members.

The church originates from the saving design of the Father, the redemptive mission of the
Son and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. She is a community of believers drawn together
by Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. The church’s mission is the mission of the Son and the
Holy Spirit in accord with the decree of God the Father. Her destiny is the full realization of this
communion in the kingdom of God. The church is a pilgrim on a journey towards God’s kingdom
where all her members will appear with Christ in the state of glory in which they will see Him as
He is.

The Church as mother (Gal 4:19) brings forth children to a new and immortal life who are
conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of God through Her preaching and baptism. So, Christ is to
be born and grow in the hearts of the faithful through Church. Because He continues to nourish
us, we ought to honor the Church as our mother and teacher.

The Church as Bride of Christ beautifully captures the nature of the Church and her relaton
to Christ. As His bride, Christ deeply loves her that he gave himself up for her (Eph 5:25). His
love makes the Church a resplendent bride, in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such
thing…holy and without blemish (Eph 5:27). In Baptism and Eucharist sacrifice, Christ
continuously gives life to her bride, the Church. She is also the New Eve, a faithful spouse (2Cor
11:2) of the New Adam (1 Cor 15:45).

At other times the Church is described as temple of God built on the foundation of the
apostles with Christ as the cornerstone; a sheepfold that keeps people close to Christ, always
ready to hear the call of the Lord; flock tended by Christ as the Good Shepherd who lays down
His life for His sheep (Jn 10:1-15); vineyard with God as the heavenly Vinedresser and with
Christ as the true Vine who gives His life and fruitfulness to the branches (Jn 15:1-17); pilgrim
on her way towards the lasting city, the kingdom of God, the heavenly Jerusalem (1Pt 2:11; Heb
13:14).

What are the essential characteristics of the Church?

To distinguish itself from all other religious sects, the early Church used four criteria
proclaimed in the Creed: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic (cf.LG 8; CCC 811).
The Church as One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic are known as the four marks of the Church.
They are attributed to a living Christian community and to the whole people of God. The four
marks, very closely linked with one another, are the essential features and mission of the
Church.
 As One – The Church is one in faith, truth, moral living, doctrines, leadership, government,
and worship as the one source (the Holy Trinity), one founder (Jesus Christ), and one soul (the
Holy Spirit). Example: Ecumenical religious services participated by various beliefs assembled
with diverging faith under one ceremony.

Holy – The Church is holy because of sanctification through Christ. It is holy because of God’s
steadfast presense; includes sinners, she is “ the sinless one made up of sinners.” Holiness
shines in the Saints and martyrs. All are called to holiness in accordance to one’s vocation and
profession of faith.

Catholic – The Church is universal, for all people, for all times, and in all places; continuity of
doctrines and fullness of relationship. ( from the Greek word “kath’olou”- referring to the
whole, universal). The Catholic Church commits herself to the global good, universal demand
for justice, peace sharing of goods, and equality.

Apostolic – The Church is founded by Christ upon the apostles as Pillars. The Church is
hierarchical led by the Pope, as the successor of Peter.

The Three Missions of the Church

1. Priestly (koinonia/Leitourgia) – to worship as one body or community.

2. Prophetic (kerygma) – to preach the universality and fullness of liberating truth.
3. Kingly (Diakonia) – to serve in fellowship, unity, and love.

“Go teach, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” The
Trinitarian formula symbolizes community. Christ from the very start wanted to build a
community through loving relationship. The Trinity by nature is relationship – communicative.
And this what Jesus wanted to share … that all may be united to the unity that is present in the
Trinity. The Church now is the communication of Jesus to the world, and “we” are the Church.
We make up his Body.
The primary mission of the Church is to preach the Good News that the kingdom of God is
here; that it has arrived in part, and its fullness is yet to come, and to bring God’s kingdom into
the world.
It is not necessary for us to be famous or great because we can accomplish this mission
through our own simple ways. With priestly mission, we can offer living sacrifices, holy and
pleasing to God (Rom 12:1), by sharing our time, efforts, and talent for a noble cause. As
prophets of this modern era, it is our mission to denounce any form of injustices and expose
any fraud and corruption and abuse of power. We are baptized Christians who stand for the
truth, integrity, and consistency. Through the Kingly mission, we can be instruments of change
by sharing our limited resources to the poor and marginalized who are in need of our aid. There
are so many ways where we can practice our mission. This is the renewal that our world needs.

Application
Summary
The Church is the instrument of God’s love and channel of His grace. We are the modern-day
saints and martyrs the world needs. The message of Pope John Paul II during the World Youth
Day in August 2005, “ the Church needs genuine witnesses. . . whose lives have been
transformed by meeting with Jesus, men and women who are capable of communicating this
experience to others. The Church needs saints. All are called to holiness, and holy people alone
can renew humanity”.

Post Activity

One of the realities we cannot run away from is our end time. All of us will come to an end
and return to our Creator. And we all know that life is not all about surviving but living with
meaning and sense. At the end, the question is, “What kind of life did we lived?”

Please answer the following:

1. How do you want to be remembered by other people?

2. What would you like them to tell about you?
 Mount Carmel College of Escalante, Inc.
Escalante City, Negros Occidental
College Department

Course Title Church History/Liturgy Course Code REL.ED 4

BSBA
Department Teacher Education Year Level BSED-FIL
BEED

Semester Second Semester Academic 2021

(Prelim) Year

Module No.3 The Government and Structure of the Church Chapter No.

Lesson No.3 Date

Intended At the end of the lesson the student will be able to:
Learning
Outcome 1. recognize and explain the fundamental aspects of the church as an
instrument of Christ’s saving presence in the world;
2. trace the historical development of the church through times.
3. forement love for and service to the church.

Introduction

Because it is an organization of men, the Church must have laws and a government. The
Government of the Church is, of course, inherent in its very foundation. In its practical
application, it has shaped by the experiences of nearly two thousand year.

Pre – Activity

Question:

What is your understanding of the word organization? Please explain.

How about government? Please explain.
Discussion

In this time the Church has learned by trial and error some of the best ways of exercising the
authority of government divinely given by its founder. Still, to all practical purposes, it has not
changed in its major divisions since apostolic times ; the changes have been mostly of a minute
nature.

The Parish

A parish (Greek paroikia, a neighbourhood or district) is a community of the Christian faithful

established and entrusted by the bishop to a pastor for its pastoral care (Canon 515.1) Catholic
parishes are usually territorial, that is, membership in them is based upon residence within the
parish boundaries. But parishes can be personal, that is, with membership based on language,
nationality, affiliation with a college or university, military service, or other criterion (Canon
518). Depending on the size of the parish, he may have one or more assistant priests; The
pastor has jurisdiction over the embers of his parish as their religious superior. It is his
obligation to enforce the laws of the church, administer the sacraments, preach the word of
God and, in short, carry out the Church’s work within his parish.

The Diocese

A diocese (Greek dioikesis, the management of a household or administrative jurisdiction) is

a portion of the People of God entrusted to a bishop for their pastoral care. In providing that
care, the bishop is assisted by the presbyterate, the college of presbyters. Three forces gather
the people, their bishops and priests into a church: the Holy Spirit, the gospel and the eucharist.
Thus gathered, they constitute an embodiment of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church
of Christ. This is the canonical vision of the diocesan church (Canon 369). Only the highest
authority in the church, that is, the pope, can formally establish a diocese. (Canon 373).

In mission areas and elsewhere, particular churches which are equivalent to diocese in canon
law, are sometimes called as territorial prelate, apostolic vicariate, apostolic administration,
military ordinariate, etc. (Canons 369-371).

The Archdiocese

Certain of the more important dioceses are called archdioceses. Ordinarily an archdiocese is
an ecclesiastical province consisting of three to ten dioceses called suffragen sees. Archdiocese
is the metropolitan see (mother of parent see). The archbishop is the metropolitan of the
province. In practice, this does not affect the government of each individual Bishop, who is
wholly in charge of his own diocese. It means simply that certain administrative details are
carried out between the metropolitan and the suffrage sees.

In addition to these normal jurisdiction there are also the following:

Patriarchies
Are ecclesiastical provinces found in the Eastern Churches. The Patriarch is the head of the
respective Church. There are still some Patriarchastes in the Latin Church: Jerusalem, Lisbon,
Venice and the East Indies. These titles are more honorary than of real significant. They do,
however, signify the great importance those centers have played in the history of the Church.

Major Archparchies
Are the same as a Patriarchate in the Eastern Churches.

Territorial Abbies
Are abbies which have their own territorial jurisdiction. The Abbot is given Episcopal
jurisdiction over the territory.

Military Ordinariate
Is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction for all military personnel and their families entrusted to the
pastoral care of a bishop who serves as Military Ordinary. They usually co-exist with the
dioceses for the country. Even while outside the country, military personnel are subjects to the
jurisdiction of their military ordinary.

The Roman Curia

The central headquarters of the Church are the ancient city of Rome, in a section known as
Vatican City, which is dependent of the Italian government and of every other government in
the world. Within this city are the administrative officers of the universal Church.
The Roman Curia is the ensemble of discasteries and bodies which assist the Pope in the
exercise of his supreme pastoral office of service to te churches which make up the Roman
Catholic communion (Canon 360). The Roman Curia today is the large administrative apparatus
which carries on the ordinary business of the church’s central office. Its agencies headed by
cardinals and staffed by many hundreds of bureaucrats, most of whom are bishops and priests.
Within the curia, the most important parts are the Secretariat of State that coordinates both
the internal and external affairs of the church and the Sacred Congregations that constitute the
important committees headed by cardinals and bishops. Then, there are also three judicial
bodies-tribunals or courts, several councils for various causes (the laity, the family, justice and
peace, etc.) and offices for the administration of funds and properties.

Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith

Is used to be called the Holy Office and before that it was known as the Holy Roman
Inquisition (not to be confused with the Spanish Inquisition!). Its primary duty and responsibility
is to promote and preserve the Catholic Faith through the Church. Anything touching on the
doctrine of the faith or on morals is within the competence of this dicastery. In particular, the
congregation has the responsibility of examining the writings of theologians and, even, of
disciplining those who reuse to retract from views considered erroneous or perilous to the
Faith; and investigating and verifying private revelations (such as Marian apparitions). The
congregation is also responsible for the Pontifical Biblical Commission and the International
Theological Commission.

Congregation for the Oriental Churches

Considers those matters, whether regarding persons or things, which touch on the Eastern
Catholic Church. It treats all questions which pertains either to persons, or to discipline, or to
the rites of the Oriental Churches, even if they are mixed in that by the nature of the thing or of
persons they involve Latins.

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments

Has primary responsibility (subject to any competency of the Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith) for the Sacred Liturgy and the Sacraments. They must prepare all rubrics, approve
translations etc. it also has competency in anything that regards sacred art or sacred music. It is
responsible for regulating the veneration of holy relics and confirming patron saints.

Congregation for the Causes of Saints

Competent in all matters which in any way pertain to the Beatification of Servants of God or
to the Canonization of the Blessed or to the preservation of Relics.

Congregation for Bishops

Responsible for the delianaton, division, and establishment and merging of Diocese, for the
consideration of candidates be appointed to Dioceses and the recommendation of candidates
to the Holy Father. It is also responsible in a more general sense of assisting the Bishop in their
governance of their own Dioceses. It receives their quinquennial reports and organizes their
visits ad limina Apostolorum.

Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples

Responsible for missionary activity throughout the World. It is the congregation which used
once to be called Propaganda Fedi (Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith).

Congregation for the Clergy

Responsible for matters relating to secular priests and deacons (ie. Those incarnated in
particular Diocese not members of Religious Orders). One of its chief roles is to try and ensure a
more equitable distribution of priests throughout the world. It is also responsible for the
laicization of priests wanting to leave the priesthood.

Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

Promotes and Supervises, in the whole Latin Church, the practices of the evangelical
counsels as they are exercised in approval forms of consecrated life and at the same time the
activities of societies of apostolic life. The Congregation takes care of Religious Institutes of
Consecrated Life and Secular Institutes.

Congregation for Catholic Education

Expresses and exercise the Apostolic See’s solitude for the formation of those who are called
to Holy Orders as well as for the promotion and organization of Catholic education. It is
competent for all that pertains to the formation of clerics and the Catholic education both
clerics and of the laity.

Application
Summary

As a whole, the government of the Church is simultaneously both simple and complex. The
relation of people to pastor to Bishop to Pope is simple enough, but in an organization of 700
million souls and over two thousand dioceses throughout the world, the details of
administration are bound to be quite complicated.

Post Activity

Online Research Assignment: Using the latest Philippine Catholic Directory, name the following:

1. Archdioceses (16)
2. Dioceses (58)
3. Apostolic Vicariate(7)
4. Prelatures (4)
5. Military Ordinariate (1)