The Synod of Bishops is an international group of Church leaders who meet to discuss topics of universal importance to the Church at the request of the Pope. The Synod was created by Pope Paul VI in 1965. Subjects for discussion have included evangelization, catechesis, formation of priests, consecrated life, and the Eucharist, among others.
Assemblies of Church leaders have been happening since the early days of Christianity. In the early years of the Archdiocese of Toronto, diocesan synods were held. A diocesan synod is a meeting of local clergy to advise the bishop on matters of policy. This week we highlight some documents from the archives related to the earliest synods in the Diocese of Toronto.
The first synod was called by Bishop Michael Power in 1842. The record of the decisions that were made were recorded in a letter book in Latin. In his book Michael Power: The Struggle to Build the Catholic Church on the Canadian Frontier, Mark McGowan describes the twenty-two constitutions that resulted from the synod as covering,
"a variety of things, including norms for sacramental and liturgical life, church construction, lay responsibilities in parish life, and parish finances. Confessional boxes and baptismal fonts were mandated in all churches. Proposed marriages had to conform strictly to the directives of canon law ... In addition, all parish priests had to keep accurate and up-to-date registers of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials" (pp. 151-152).
 |
| 1842 LB01.042 |
 |
| 1842 LB01.043 |
The third synod of the diocese was held by Bishop de Charbonnel on September 13th, 1853 at St. Michael's College. Only five decisions were recorded:
 |
| 1st That a duplicate registry of Baptisms, Marriages, and Interments be kept by each Clergyman of his mission. 2d That the fees of mixed marriages be reduced 3d That the present fee offered as intention for mass continue the same 4th That some remuneration be given to those who go a distance to attend interments 5th That the government allowance will be at the disposal of His Lordship - to be applied for the use of St Michael Seminary or superannuated and infirm priests 1853 C AM01.01 |
In the 1860s, under the direction of Bishop Lynch, a list of rules was compiled as they had been written so far from previous diocesan synods, as well as rules from provincial synods and canon law. The rules were divided into several chapters, with headings such as "Of the Parish Priest," "Of the Cemetery," and "Chant." To Bishop Lynch, it was important to codify the rules of the diocese to ensure that as many souls as possible were saved.
In an introduction Lynch wrote, "Rules are necessary in every station and calling of life - the mechanic or merchant who works without rule and order is certain of failure and ruin. Ignorance of rule is as fruitful a source of many fatal mistakes as contempt of the rule itself. The priest of the Most High, whose office is the continuation of the office of Jesus Christ himself as mediator and whose duty is to dispense his merciful gifts to men for their salvation is also to be guided by rule."
 |
| Chapter the 1st: Of Our Holy Father the Pope 1863 HO 02.15 |
 |
| Extreme Unction 1863 HO 02.15 |
 |
| Holy Orders 1863 HO 02.15 |
 |
| Matrimony 1863 HO 02.15 |
 |
| Of the Seminary and Studies 1863 HO 02.15 |
In the front of the book we found inscribed "I did not command or forbid anything under pain of suspension or inderdict. This, I find, was a mistake." This was presumably written by Bishop Lynch, although we don't know for sure, and we don't know when it was written. Nonetheless, it's an interesting sentiment!
No comments:
Post a Comment