§ 107. The Mutual Relations of Bishops

The mutual relations of bishops.

Bishops, by the grace they have received through consecration, and as successors of the apostles, are equal among themselves (§ 51). In their authority and rights, therefore, according to the sacred hierarchy, there can be no difference; but a difference does exist among them according to the hierarchy of jurisdiction (ἱεραρχία διοικητική, hierarchia jurisdictionis). According to the degrees of this hierarchy are determined the relations that exist between diocesan bishops and the higher church authority; and likewise, according to the autonomous position of each bishop within his own diocese, are determined the relations that exist between him and the other diocesan bishops equal to him.

1. Toward the higher church authority every diocesan bishop must: a) obey strictly and unconditionally the orders of the synodal authority on which he depends;[1] b) inform the council of bishops of everything of importance that occurs in his diocese and of the measures needed, should it be necessary to arrange in a better and more fitting way some matter of significance beyond the bounds of his own diocese; and likewise inform the council of bishops of the outcome of his canonical visitations in the diocese;[2] c) attend the council of bishops upon summons of the competent authority;[3] d) undertake nothing that exceeds his authority without the knowledge and consent of the higher church authority;[4] and e) commemorate at the church services the name of the competent territorial autocephalous archbishop.[5]

2. The mutual relations between diocesan bishops are so fully determined in the canons that a conflict of authority between them is impossible. We have mentioned the chief points of this in the preceding paragraph. We add here three more: a) every diocesan bishop must respect the decision of the spiritual court of another diocesan bishop concerning persons who pass over into his own diocese, whether laymen or sacred persons;[6] b) no diocesan bishop, under pain of excommunication, may receive from another diocese either a cleric or a layman without the relevant letter of dismissal from his competent bishop;[7] and c) if a diocesan bishop lacks a sufficient number of clergy, another bishop who has more than he needs is bound to yield some of his clergy to him.[8]