TITLE I:
THE MINISTRY OF THE DIVINE WORD (Cann. 756 - 780)
Can.
756 §1 The office of preaching the Gospel to the whole Church has been
committed principally to the Roman Pontiff and to the College of Bishops.
§2 For the
particular Churches entrusted to them, that office is exercised by the
individual Bishops, who are the moderators of the entire ministry of the word
in their Churches. Sometimes, however, in accordance with the law, a number of
Bishops simultaneously carry out that office together in respect of a number of
different Churches.
Can.
757 It belongs to priests, as co-operators of the Bishops, to proclaim the
Gospel of God. For the people entrusted to their care, this task rests
especially on parish priests, and on other priests entrusted with the care of
souls. Deacons also are to serve the people of God in the ministry of the word,
in union with the Bishop and his presbyterium.
Can.
758 By reason of their consecration to God, members of institutes of
consecrated life bear particular witness to the Gospel, and so are fittingly
called upon by the Bishop to help in proclaiming the Gospel.
Can.
759 The lay members of Christ's faithful, by reason of their baptism and
confirmation, are witnesses to the good news of the Gospel, by their words and
by the example of their christian life. They can also be called upon to
cooperate with Bishops and priests in the exercise of the ministry of the word.
Can.
760 The mystery of Christ is to be faithfully and fully presented in the
ministry of the word, which must be founded upon sacred Scripture, Tradition,
liturgy and the magisterium and life of the Church.
Can.
761 While pride of place must always be given to preaching and catechetical
instruction, all the available means of proclaiming christian doctrine are to
be used: the exposition of doctrine in schools, in institutes of higher
learning, at conferences and meetings of all kinds; public declarations by
lawful authority on the occasion of certain events; the printed word and other
means of social communication.
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