Christus Dominus is the Second Vatican Council's Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops. It was approved by a vote of 2,319 to 2 of the assembled bishops and was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on October 28, 1965. The title in Latin means "Christ the Lord," and is from the first line of the decree, as is customary for Roman Catholic documents. (The full text in English is available from the Holy See's website.) The Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II, was an Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church opened under Pope John XXIII in 1962 and closed under Pope Paul VI in 1965. ... A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ... His Holiness Pope Paul VI, born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini (September 26, 1897 – August 6, 1978), reigned as Pope and as sovereign of Vatican City from 1963 to 1978. ... Latin is the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... The Roman Catholic Church believes its founding was based on Jesus appointment of Saint Peter as the primary church leader, later Bishop of Rome. ...

In these days especially bishops frequently are unable to fulfill their office effectively and fruitfully unless they develop a common effort involving constant growth in harmony and closeness of ties with other bishops. Episcopal conferences already established in many nations-have furnished outstanding proofs of a more fruitful apostolate. Therefore, this sacred synod considers it to be supremely fitting that everywhere bishops belonging to the same nation or region form an association which would meet at fixed times. Thus, when the insights of prudence and experience have been shared and views exchanged, there will emerge a holy union of energies in the service of the common good of the churches. (CD 37)

Contents

1. Preface (1-3)
2. The Relationship of Bishops to the Universal Church (4-10)
   1. The Role of Bishops in the Universal Church (4-7)
   2. Bishops and the Apostolic See (8-10)
3. Bishops and Their Particular Churches or Dioceses (11-35)
   1. Diocesan Bishops (11-21)
   2. Diocesan Boundaries (22-24)
   3. Assistants in the Pastoral Office of the Diocesan Bishops (25-35)
      1. Coadjutor and Auxiliary Bishops (25-26)
      2. The Diocesan Curia and Commissions (27)
      3. The Diocesan Clergy (28-32)
      4. Religious (33-35)
4. Concerning Bishops Cooperating for the Common Good of Many Churches (36-43)
   1. Synods, Councils and Especially Episcopal Conferences (36-38)
   2. The Boundaries of Ecclesiastical Provinces and the Erection of Ecclesiastical Regions (39-41)
   3. Bishops Having an Inter-Diocesan Office (42-43)
5. General Directive (44)