Unity in Christ: Bishops, Synodality, and Communion

Archbishop Anthony Fisher explores the themes of episcopal unity in his book "Unity in Christ," based on a series of addresses to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He argues that unity among Christ's disciples and their successors is not an ideal but a constitutive element of their office, expressed through genuine friendship with one another. The book also explores the implications of episcopal fraternity and communio in areas such as spirituality, preaching, and fraternal correction, offering concrete examples of lived episcopal fraternity and communio.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: The Catholic University of America Press

The central question of episcopal fraternity and communio is explored through the erudition and experience of Archbishop Anthony Fisher, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Australia. Unity in Christ, based on a series of addresses given to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at their Special Assembly in 2022, delves into the themes associated with episcopal unity. By surveying the Christian tradition, beginning with the scriptures and then through various periods (Apostolic generation, patristic, scholastic, Vatican II, recent post-Vatican II developments such as synodality), a coherent picture of episcopal togetherness is presented. What becomes clear is that unity among Christ's disciples and their successors is not simply an ideal but rather a constitutive element of their office. They are called to love as Christ loved, expressed above all through genuine friendship with one another.

The consequences of this fraternity and communio have implications in areas such as spirituality, preaching, and fraternal correction, among others. This second feature, the implications of episcopal fraternity and communio, are explored through Archbishop Fisher's twenty years of experience as a bishop of the Catholic Church. By providing concrete examples of lived episcopal fraternity and communio, Fisher offers a glimpse into both the challenges and fruits of living out Christ's call that they might all be one (Jn 17:21).

The book is organized into three parts. The first part, "The Nature of Episcopal Unity," explores the theological foundations of episcopal unity, including the nature of the church as the body of Christ, the role of the bishop as the visible head of the church, and the importance of collegiality and collaboration among bishops. The second part, "The Implications of Episcopal Unity," examines the practical consequences of episcopal fraternity and communio, including its impact on spirituality, preaching, and fraternal correction. The third part, "The Experience of Episcopal Unity," provides concrete examples of lived episcopal fraternity and communio from Archbishop Fisher's twenty years of experience as a bishop.

Overall, Unity in Christ is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the nature and implications of episcopal unity in the Catholic Church. Archbishop Fisher's erudition and experience provide a rich and insightful perspective on this important topic, and his book offers a clear and compelling vision for the future of the church.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813237312