Święta władza. Forma wewnętrzna pojęcia władzy w Kościele

Janusz KRÓLIKOWSKI

Chair of Systematic Theology, Faculty of Theology Section in Tarnów, The Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków, ul. Piłsudskiego 6, 33-100 Tarnów, Poland , Poland

Abstract

The presented analyses rest on the idea that the authority obtained by the power of the Sacraments can assume the proper external form and, consequently, effectively serve the Ecclesial community, provided the appropriate internal form of the sacred authority is determined, based on systematic theology. It is also essential to consider the Christological dimension of the ecclesial authority as the latter is connected to Christ’s calling his chosen disciples to come after him; a disciple’s participation in the redemptive mission requires that the disciple imitates Christ. Thus the authority exercised in the Church consists, above all, in serving the Kingdom of God proclaimed by Christ. At the same time, the duties implied by the Sacrament of Holy Orders can be performed in an appropriate way provided the primacy of Christ is recognized unconditionally.
The author emphasizes that, in the present situation of the Church, it is particularly important to have an adequate understanding of the relationship between the theological sense of authority in the Church and the external form in which Ecclesial authority is exercised. He also points to the need to overcome misleading conceptions regarding the issue in question, which tend to falsely juxtapose external form of authority and the freedom of exercising it. The author indicates that adopting a realistic approach and an objective attitude in theology will help prevent such tendencies.

Keywords:

sacred authority, coming after Christ, service, mission, Holy Orders, Kingdom of God, internal form, objectivism