Mystici Corporis Christi
Mystici Corporis Christi (The Mystical Body of Christ) is an encyclical issued by Pope Pius XII on 29 June 1943 during World War II. Its main topic is the Catholic Church as the Mystical Body of Christ.
For the theological concept, see Body of Christ.
Mystici Corporis Christi
Latin for 'The Mystical Body of Christ'
Encyclical of Pope Pius XII
29 June 1943
On the Mystical Body of Christ and the Church
4 of 41 of the pontificate
35 (7):193-248
The encyclical is remembered for its statement that the Mystical Body of Christ is the Catholic Church. According to Mystici corporis, to be truly a member of the mystical body, one must be a member of the Catholic Church. Non-Catholics who erred in good faith could be unsuspectingly united to the mystical body by an unconscious desire and longing.[1]
According to the Jesuit theologian Avery Dulles, Mystici Corporis was "the most comprehensive official Catholic pronouncement on the Church prior to Vatican II".[1] Its primary writer Sebastiaan Tromp drew mainly on the first schema of Vatican I and on the encyclicals of Leo XIII.[2] It de-emphasized papal jurisdiction, but insisted on the visibility of the church and warned against an excessively mystical understanding of the union between Christ and the Church.[1]
Content[edit]
Role of the laity[edit]
The encyclical teaches that both laypeople and the leadership have a role to play in the Catholic Church. Lay people are at the forefront of the Church, and have to be aware of 'being the Church', not just 'belonging to the Church'. At the same time, the Pope and bishops are responsible for providing leadership for all the faithful. Together, they are the Church and work for the good of the Church.[6]
Apostles and bishops[edit]
The encyclical states that Christ, while still on earth, instructed by precept, counsel and warnings "in words that shall never pass away, and will be spirit and life" to all men of all times.[7] He conferred a triple power on his Apostles and their successors, to teach, to govern, to lead men to holiness, making this power, defined by special ordinances, rights and obligations, the fundamental law of the whole Church.[8] God governs directly and guides personally the Church which He founded. Pius XII quoted Proverbs 21:1, noting that God reigns within the minds and hearts of men, and bends and subjects their wills to His good pleasure, even when rebellious.[9]
Mystici Corporis requests the faithful to love their Church and to always see Christ in her, especially in the old and sick members. They must accustom themselves "to see Christ Himself in the Church. For it is Christ who lives in His Church, and through her, teaches, governs, and sanctifies; it is Christ also who manifests Himself differently in different members of His society".[10]