Canon 50

1. The college of bishops exercises power over the entire

Church in a solemn manner in an ecumenical council. 2. The

college exercises the same power through the united action of the

bishops dispersed in the world, which action as such has been

initiated or has been freely accepted by the Roman Pontiff so

that a truly collegial act results. 3. It is for the Roman

Pontiff, in keeping with the needs of the Church, to select and

promote the ways by which the college of bishops is to exercise

collegially its function regarding the entire Church.