Who has legislative power in governance?

Who has legislative power in governance?

• A. The Pope or bishops creating laws for the Church or their diocese
• B. The Presbyteral Council
• C. The diocesan finance council
• D. The lay faithful

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is who has legislative power in Church governance. In canon law, the Pope has universal legislative authority, setting laws that bind the entire Church. Bishops likewise hold legislative power within their dioceses, enacting diocesan statutes and decrees that conform to universal law. Bodies such as the Presbyteral Council serve as consultative bodies to assist the bishop, not as the sources of binding law. The diocesan finance council deals with financial matters, not legislation, and the lay faithful do not possess legislative authority. Therefore, the Pope or bishops creating laws for the Church or their diocese is the correct understanding of legislative power in governance.

The main concept here is who has legislative power in Church governance. In canon law, the Pope has universal legislative authority, setting laws that bind the entire Church. Bishops likewise hold legislative power within their dioceses, enacting diocesan statutes and decrees that conform to universal law. Bodies such as the Presbyteral Council serve as consultative bodies to assist the bishop, not as the sources of binding law. The diocesan finance council deals with financial matters, not legislation, and the lay faithful do not possess legislative authority. Therefore, the Pope or bishops creating laws for the Church or their diocese is the correct understanding of legislative power in governance.