Folia Theologica et Canonica 10. 32/24 (2021)
Ius canonicum
62 PÉTER ERDŐ 18th centuries, the monarch only needed to be independent of the orders (but not, let’s say, of natural law) to be able to speak of an absolute monarchy4. Slightly more distantly, as an outside observer, the Hungarian Grand Lexicon considers5 the Vatican a theocratic monarchy. Is the idea of theocracy, the concept of the rule of God manifested in the functioning of the state, contrary to the absolute nature of a monarchy? This, of course, depends on the form of theocracy we are dealing with. In cultures where the person of the ruler is defined as god, the theocratic and the absolute character of monarchy in the strictest sense of the word coincide. However, in Christianity, in the Catholic Church, and thus in the Vatican State, this would never be the case. For Christ does not walk among us in the person of a contemporary man, but we await his second coming at the end of time. This is expressed in the Apostles’ Creed: ‘He has ascended into Heaven, there he sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he comes to judge the living and the dead’. The Roman Pontiff is described in the current Code of Canon Law as The head of the College of Bishops (...) in whom continues the office given by the Lord uniquely to Peter, who is the first among the Apostles, and his successors inherit this function. This Bishop is the Vicar of Christ and pastor of the universal Church on this earth thus by virtue of his office he possesses supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power within the Church, which he is always able to exercise freely (Canon 331). The Code notes, however, that In fulfilling the office of supreme pastor of the Church, the Roman Pontiff is always joined in communion with the other bishops and with the entire Church. He nevertheless has the right, according to the needs of the Church, to determine the manner, whether personal or collegial, of exercising this office (Canon 333 §2). The Pope is assisted in the exercise of this function by the bishops and other individuals. They do so in various institutional forms. One of these is the Synod of Bishops (Canon 334). In what institutional form theocracy or, more precisely, Christocracy functions here on earth in the Church, and to what extent this distinguishes the position of the Pope in a narrower, political term from the position of an absolute monarch has been the subject of much historical study. 4 Mezey, BAbszolút monarchia, in Magyar Katolikus Lexikon, I. Budapest 1993. 31-32. 5 Magyar Nagylexikon, XVIII. Budapest 2004. 279.
