Day 124: Teaching, Sanctifying, and Governing

"The bishops, as vicars and legates of Christ, govern the particular Churches assigned to them by their counsels, exhortations, and example, but over and above that also by the authority and sacred power" which indeed they ought to exercise so as to edify, in the spirit of service which is that of their Master. CCC 894

In today's reading, the Catechism focuses on the bishops' teaching, sanctifying, and governing duties in communion with the Pope as the successors of the Apostles. The Catechism Compendium summarizes their mission of teaching the faithful as follows:

Since they are authentic witnesses of the apostolic faith and are invested with the authority of Christ, the bishops in union with the Pope have the duty of proclaiming the Gospel faithfully and authoritatively to all. By means of a supernatural sense of faith, the people of God unfailingly adhere to the faith under the guidance of the living Magisterium of the Church. (#184)

The Church teaches that the Pope in his office exercises infallibility at certain times in safeguarding the Deposit of Faith, as do all the bishops. The Catechism Companion, Vol II explains this:

The pope uses his infallibility when he proclaims a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. The bishops also exercise infallibility, especially during ecumenical councils... When the bishops act with authority, it must be in union with the entire Church, led by the pope. (p. 12)

Holding the same authority as the Apostles in governing the Church, probably the most important of the duties of the bishops is sanctification. This pertains to all of us and as shepherds of Christ, they are to lead us by example. I really like this part of today's reading:

The bishop is "the steward of the grace of the supreme priesthood," especially in the Eucharist which he offers personally or whose offering he assures through the priests, his co-workers. the Eucharist is the center of the life of the particular Church. the bishop and priests sanctify the Church by their prayer and work, by their ministry of the word and of the sacraments. They sanctify her by their example, "not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock." Thus, "together with the flock entrusted to them, they may attain to eternal life." CCC 893