The Magisterium and the teaching authority of the Church
We know that Christ has bestowed on His Church this revelation through the Apostles. They in turn have handed it down to their successors, the bishops. When large theological disputes over central questions of Christianity arise in history it is simply not enough to hope that the matter will be eventually resolved by leading scholars and theologians coming to agreement over the meaning of the Scriptures. There are after all many ways of reading the Bible and even intelligent interpreters can misread the text. In a question like the person and nature of Jesus Christ on which everything of God’s revelation depends, it was necessary for the Church to intervene—not to settle an abstract theological dispute—but to settle authoritatively the meaning of Divine Revelation.
The Teaching Authority of the Church
The Church is responsible for preserving and passing on to every generation all that she is and all that she believes ("He who hears you, hears Me" (Luke 10:16)). This is done chiefly through her teachings and is consistent and constant through the ages. This teaching office of the Church is called the Magisterium (CCC 2032-2033). Magisterium comes from the Latin word magister which means "teacher." It is the role of the Magisterium to interpret in a decisive way both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. In this way the Church is teaching (CCC 888-892).
The Magisterium is exercised on three levels. First, it is exercised as a "prophetic office" in the entire Church by the clergy and faithful alike. All have the responsibility to "hand over" Jesus to others, to serve them, to teach them by living what He taught. Second, it is also exercised by the college of bishops as the successors of the Apostles in union with the pope. Third, it is exercised by the pope alone since he is the Vicar of Christ and the visible head of the Church on earth.
However, when an issue arises that requires that a judgment be made as to whether a spirit is of God, whether a teaching is authentic, the pope himself or the pope in union with all the bishops must make that decision. Because they must do so faithfully, their authority must also be authentic as was that of their predecessors, the Apostles. This is a special charism entrusted to them by virtue of their episcopal office. Their exercise of this charism serves us in helping us to be sure that we are handing over the authentic Jesus and the authentic Gospel (CCC 890-891).
It is important to remember that the bishops must be in communion with the pope. They must be united with him and under him. If many bishops in the world were to agree on something but the pope did not agree, the matter could not be official Church teaching. Likewise, it is possible for the pope to teach something and not require the consent of the bishops. The Church has the authority to teach in this decisive way because of the assurance Christ gave us that He would be with His Church until the end of the world (cf. Matt 28:20). In fact, seeing two thousand years of continuity in Church teaching is one way that we sense the presence of Christ among us (CCC 77, 889).
The importance of the teaching coming from the pope through the bishops is seen in Our Lord's assurance to St. Peter before the Passion. "Simon, Simon . . . I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31). The Lord speaks to Peter who in turn is charged with speaking to the other Disciples.
The Magisterium generally takes on two forms or is exercised in two ways: the Ordinary or Universal Magisterium the Solemn or Extraordinary Magisterium.
The Teaching Authority of the Church
The Church is responsible for preserving and passing on to every generation all that she is and all that she believes ("He who hears you, hears Me" (Luke 10:16)). This is done chiefly through her teachings and is consistent and constant through the ages. This teaching office of the Church is called the Magisterium (CCC 2032-2033). Magisterium comes from the Latin word magister which means "teacher." It is the role of the Magisterium to interpret in a decisive way both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. In this way the Church is teaching (CCC 888-892).
The Magisterium is exercised on three levels. First, it is exercised as a "prophetic office" in the entire Church by the clergy and faithful alike. All have the responsibility to "hand over" Jesus to others, to serve them, to teach them by living what He taught. Second, it is also exercised by the college of bishops as the successors of the Apostles in union with the pope. Third, it is exercised by the pope alone since he is the Vicar of Christ and the visible head of the Church on earth.
However, when an issue arises that requires that a judgment be made as to whether a spirit is of God, whether a teaching is authentic, the pope himself or the pope in union with all the bishops must make that decision. Because they must do so faithfully, their authority must also be authentic as was that of their predecessors, the Apostles. This is a special charism entrusted to them by virtue of their episcopal office. Their exercise of this charism serves us in helping us to be sure that we are handing over the authentic Jesus and the authentic Gospel (CCC 890-891).
It is important to remember that the bishops must be in communion with the pope. They must be united with him and under him. If many bishops in the world were to agree on something but the pope did not agree, the matter could not be official Church teaching. Likewise, it is possible for the pope to teach something and not require the consent of the bishops. The Church has the authority to teach in this decisive way because of the assurance Christ gave us that He would be with His Church until the end of the world (cf. Matt 28:20). In fact, seeing two thousand years of continuity in Church teaching is one way that we sense the presence of Christ among us (CCC 77, 889).
The importance of the teaching coming from the pope through the bishops is seen in Our Lord's assurance to St. Peter before the Passion. "Simon, Simon . . . I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31). The Lord speaks to Peter who in turn is charged with speaking to the other Disciples.
The Magisterium generally takes on two forms or is exercised in two ways: the Ordinary or Universal Magisterium the Solemn or Extraordinary Magisterium.
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