The Issue of the Possible General Legal Authority of Episcopal Conferences

The Episcopal conference is an institution that has gone through different stages since its origins in the nineteenth century. At present, given the doctrine of the synodality of the Church, there is some discussion of whether Episcopal conferences should be recognized as having general authority over the dioceses of the nation. This paper addresses the arguments for and against this possibility, and the importance of the "predominantly" consultative function of the Episcopal conference is recalled.