SOL, ALMA, PASTOR: EL OFICIO DE OBISPO DIOCESANO EN AUTORES DE LA ESCUELA DE SALAMANCA

The diocesan bishop plays a fundamental role within the ecclesiastical organization, so much so, that even the key role of the Roman Pontiff is intimately connected to the principal office of a diocese. This role was a significant topic in the Council of Trent and became a catalyst for ideas on the episcopacy, present in the reflection of authors from the School of Salamanca. These authors gave special relevance to the natural reason and the human freedom, fundamental themes of Modernity. This article analyzes the role of the diocesan bishop in the works of six prominent authors from the School of Salamanca, published before and after the Council of Trent: Francisco de Vitoria, Domingo de Soto, Bartolomé Carranza Gaspar de Villarroel, Diego de Avendaño and Pedro Murillo Velarde. They analyze the authority of this bishop and emphasize his need of leading a coherent life, based on their knowledge of the truth and voluntary observance of the good. In a time of transformations of the world vision, like the Modernity, these writers combine adequately the new paradigms with complete faithfulness to the faith.