The Sensus Fidelium and canon law: An exploration

Abstract

More than fifty years ago Pope John XXIII convoked Second Vatican Council to which about 2,500 bishops were invited from all over world. It was at this Council, and in its reception over years, that sensus fidelium was re-discovered as an ecclesial reality and a theological insight that has characterized Church since its inception. The central question of this study is how sensus fidelium is expressed and received in Church, and how 1983 Code of Canon Law can help in its expression and reception. This study investigates complex and varied ways through which sensus fidelium is sought out, brought to expression, received and listened to in Church. The study sets out to address questions such as: What truly is sensus fidelium? When you look at Church, where can you see expression and reception of sensus fidelium? Where in Church can you see a practical manifestation of sensus fidelium? Who are people in Church that constitute sensus fidelium? What are canonical structures in Church that aid expression and reception of sensus fidelium as envisioned by Conciliar Fathers? Addressing these questions will help members of faithful and whole Church to integrate and apply to life ecclesial and theological insight of sensus fidelium as envisioned by Conciliar Fathers. The study addresses above questions in light of 1983 Code of Canon Law. In other words, study investigates ecclesial and theological insight of sensus fidelium, highlighting particularly, how canonical norms and structures of 1983 Code of Canon Law aid its expression and reception in Church. The study identifies lay faithful, deacons, religious men and women, priests, theologians, canon lawyers, bishops, Roman Pontiff and cardinals, as of sensus fidelium - that is, people involved in aiding its ongoing expression and reception in Church. It is proposed that these agents, together with canonical structures such as parish pastoral council, finance council, presbyteral council and college of consultors, diocesan curia, visit ad limina Apostolorum, diocesan synod, episcopal conferences and synods, Roman Curia, ecumenical dialogues and canonical institute of custom, are structures of sensus fidelium and - when used to their fullest potential - can be useful instruments for expression and reception of sensus fidelium in Church. The study argues that, for a fuller and richer expression and reception of sensus fidelium to be realized, agents and structures of sensus fidelium must be used to their fullest potential. In order to do this, certain theological-applicative principles which promote unity and love, adequate consultation and receptive dialogue between hierarchy and people of God as a whole, must be borne in mind and integrated into life of faithful: principle of ecclesial image of the people of God, hierarchical principle, principle of fundamental equality and dignity of all faithful, principle of sacramentality, principle of communio, pneumatological principle, principle of receptive dialogue among faithful. This study will highlight how all members of faithful participate in and constitute sensus fidelium, and how canonical norms and structures of Code helps to promote and protect their involvement in expression and reception of sensus fidelium in Church.