Aktualizacja instytucji Synodu w Archidiecezji Warszawskiej

Abstract

According to the Code of Canon Law from 1983 a diocesan synod is a group of selected priests and other members of the Christian faithful of a particular church who offer assistance to diocesan bishop for good of the whole diocesan community. The diocesan bishop alone has the authority to convoke a diocesan synod and normally presides over it. The only legislator in diocesan synod is the diocesan bishop; the other members of the synod posses only a consultative vote. The issuance and publication of the synod decrees are legislative acts of the diocesan bishop. Since he is the sole legislator, it is appropriate that he alone sign the decrees and authorize their publication. The work entitled: „Updating the institution o f the Synod in Warsaw's Archdiocese” shows the places o f diocesan synods in the structures of Warsaw’s Archdiocesan. The work describes four synods which had place up till now in the Archdiocese of Warsaw. Much attention is given to individuals and institutions influencing the shape of statues of Warsaw's Archdiocesan Synods. The first Synod of Warsaw's Archdiocese was possible only after regaining independence by the Polish State – it was ordained by cardinal Aleksander Kakowski in 1922. The following two Synods were directed by cardinal Stefan Wyszyński in 1962 and 1973. The last one had place between 1988 and 2003 and was directed by cardinal Józef Glemp. As it has been noted by bishop Jerzy Modzelewski synod of 1922 had purely legal character, synod of 1962 was pastoral and legal, the third synod was theological, legal and council oriented with legal conclusions. The last one of 1998-2003 was continuation of the second one. The end of the article presents up to date legal status of Warsaw's synod statues. Project uses abundant material featured in the documents of Warsaw's Archdiocese which in most part hasn't been worked upon yet. To clarify some arguable questions polish and foreign canonical and theological literature were used.