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55 Jurist 1 (1995)
The Exercise of the Power of Governance by Lay People: State of the Question

handle is hein.journals/juristcu55 and id is 9 raw text is: THE JURIST 55 (1995) 1-92 THE EXERCISE OF THE POWER OF GOVERNANCE BY LAY PEOPLE: STATE OF THE QUESTION JOHN P. BEAL* Power: what is it, where does it come from, who has it, and how do they get it? These and other questions related to power have been raised and debated in the Church at least since the sons of Zebedee, or their mother2 tried to stake claim to the choice seats at table when Jesus came into his glory. Questions about power in the Church-its nature, source(s), possession, and modes of transmission-have been the sub- ject of heated debate at least among canonists during and since the Second Vatican Council. In the post-conciliar debate sacred power has emerged as both a fundamental constitutional issue that touches on the theological nature of the Church and an eminently practical issue that determines the extent to which various persons can participate in the life and mission of the Church. All participants in the post-conciliar debate readily acknowledge that one of the most important contributions of the Second Vatican Council was its teaching on the dignity of lay people who, in virtue of baptism, in their own way share the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ, and to the best of their ability carry on the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the world (LG 31). The council noted the secular character that is proper and peculiar to the laity (LG 31) and emphasized their particular responsibility to make the Church present and fruitful in those places and circumstances where it is only through them that she can become the salt of the earth (LG 33). Nevertheless, the council also made it clear that lay people also have an important role to play within the Church. Besides the apostolate that belongs to absolutely every Chris- tian, the laity can be called in different ways to more immediate cooperation in the apostolate of the hierarchy .... They have, * J.C.D. (The Catholic University of America, 1985). Assistant Professor of Canon Law, The Catholic University of America. ' Mk 10: 35-45. 2 Mt 20: 20-28.

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