Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church has a complex structure with various roles and responsibilities, including the laity, who are the people or members of the Church. While the laity may disagree with or find it hard to accept certain teachings of the bishops or the Pope, the concept of papal infallibility is crucial. This means that when the Pope teaches ex cathedra, or with the authority of his office, his statements on faith and morals are considered free from error and binding on the Church. However, it's important to note that papal infallibility doesn't apply to all statements and teachings. The laity are encouraged to understand the teachings, seek guidance from theologians, and maintain a dialogue with the Magisterium, which includes the Pope and bishops. In cases of grave offences or deviations from the Faith, bishops and other high-ranking clergy can criticise or even contradict the Pope, but this is not a right explicitly granted to the laity. The laicization or defrocking of a bishop is a rare occurrence, usually resulting from serious misconduct.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Papal teachings that can be rejected | Personal opinions, not doctrines of the church |
| Who can reject teachings | Bishops, Archbishops, Patriarchs, etc. |
| Who cannot reject teachings | The laity as a whole |
| When teachings can be rejected | When the Pope deviates from the faith |
| When teachings cannot be rejected | When the Pope speaks 'ex cathedra' |
| When teachings are not binding | When taught in a homily or in written statements unless stated dogmatically |
| What to do when teachings are hard to accept | Pray, understand what is being said, talk to others including catechists, priests, bishops, and theological experts |
| What not to do when teachings are hard to accept | Adopt a dismissive attitude |
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What You'll Learn
Papal infallibility
The Catholic Church's teaching on papal infallibility is often misunderstood by those outside the Church. The doctrine of papal infallibility, the Latin phrase ex cathedra ('from the chair'), was proclaimed by Pius IX in 1870. It states that the Pope, when speaking ex cathedra, is preserved from the possibility of error on doctrine initially given to the apostolic Church and handed down in Scripture and tradition. This does not mean that the Pope cannot sin or otherwise err in many cases, but he is prevented by the assistance of the Holy Spirit from issuing heretical teachings. The doctrine relies on the cornerstone of Catholic dogma: papal supremacy, whereby the Pope, as the head of the college of bishops, has ruling authority.
The concept of papal infallibility has been a source of debate among theologians, with some arguing that it originated with the 13th-century Franciscan priest Peter Olivi, while others trace its origins to the 14th or 15th century. The doctrine was formally defined at the First Vatican Council of 1869-1870, and it is claimed to have existed in medieval theology and to have been the majority opinion at the time of the Counter-Reformation.
When encountering difficulties with accepting a bishop's or Pope's teaching, Catholics are encouraged to engage in prayer and to seek understanding. The language used by the Magisterium is specialised and designed for professionals, so it is important to ensure a full comprehension of the teachings. The principles outlined in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's 1990 document Donum Veritatis offer guidance for theologians and ordinary members of the faithful when facing challenges in accepting Church teachings.
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Laity's right to reject papal teaching
While some Catholics believe that the laity has the right, and even the duty, to "recognize and resist" papal errors, this is not a widely accepted view. The document Cum ex Apostolatus Officio, for instance, does not support the idea that the laity has the right to reject papal teaching. Instead, it states that the Roman Pontiff may be contradicted by other religious authorities, such as Bishops, Archbishops, and Patriarchs, if he is found to have deviated from the Faith.
That being said, it is important to distinguish between dissent and personal difficulties in accepting certain teachings. The Teaching Ministry of the Diocesan Bishop, a document released by the U.S. bishops' Committee on Doctrine in 1992, defines dissent as "public opposition to the Magisterium of the Church." This means that as long as personal difficulties in accepting certain teachings do not amount to public opposition, they do not constitute dissent.
When encountering teachings that are hard to accept, members of the Church are encouraged to take several practical steps. Firstly, it is important to ensure a thorough understanding of the teaching, as the Magisterium often uses specialized language designed for professionals. Talking to others, including catechists, priests, bishops, and theological experts, can help individuals better understand the teachings and form their own opinions.
While the laity may not have the explicit right to reject papal teaching, they can engage in dialogue with the Magisterium and strive to understand the contents, arguments, and purposes of the teachings. This process can involve intense and patient reflection, as well as a willingness to revise one's own opinions and examine objections.
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Bishops' right to criticise the Roman Pontiff
The Catholic Church is headed by the Pope, also known as the Roman Pontiff, who is considered the successor of Saint Peter, the leader of Jesus Christ's church. The Pope is believed to have been granted full authority by God, and his teaching authority is considered infallible.
However, this does not mean that the Pope is above criticism or immune to dissent. In fact, the Church recognises that there may be times when members of the clergy or the laity find it hard to accept or understand certain teachings. In such cases, prayer is recommended, as well as seeking clarification and guidance from bishops, theologians, and other experts.
While the laity does not have the explicit right to reject or contradict the Pope's teachings, there is a distinction made between teaching and offering a good example. The Pope himself has acknowledged that Bishops, Archbishops, Patriarchs, and other clergy members have a responsibility to teach and set an example for others. If the Pope is perceived to lack virtue or commit evil deeds, thereby failing to provide a good example, Bishops and other clergy members are free to teach and act otherwise, and even to criticise his behaviour.
This right to criticise the Pope's behaviour is not the same as granting the laity permission to reject or contradict papal teachings wholesale. The laity is expected to be subject to their bishops and the Roman Pontiff, following and making known their teachings. However, this does not mean that the laity must accept every teaching without question. The Church recognises that there may be personal difficulties in accepting certain teachings, as long as these do not take the form of public opposition, which would be considered dissent.
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Laity's duty to their bishop
The Catholic Church upholds the duty of the laity toward the occupant of the Office of Peter and his teachings. This entails being subject completely in mind and will to their bishops and the Roman Pontiff, following and disseminating their teachings, and willingly submitting to their influence. However, this duty is not without nuances and complexities.
Firstly, it is important to distinguish between public and private dissent. According to the U.S. bishops' Committee on Doctrine, "dissent" refers specifically to public opposition to the Magisterium of the Church, which is distinct from personal difficulties in accepting certain teachings. Private denial of a teaching does not constitute dissent. Therefore, laity members who find it challenging to accept a bishop's teaching should refrain from public opposition and instead seek understanding and dialogue.
Secondly, the concept of papal infallibility is crucial. Papal infallibility applies when the Pope or the Bishops teach ex cathedra, that is, when they solemnly define doctrines as the Church's infallible teaching. In these instances, Catholics are expected to adhere to these teachings to remain in full communion with the Church. However, it is important to note that most of the time, the Pope is not speaking ex cathedra, and his personal opinions or statements that are not proclaimed as doctrines can be rejected as false, even if they pertain to matters of faith and morals.
Additionally, while the laity should generally follow their bishop's teachings, there are checks and balances within the Church. If a bishop's behaviour is deemed inappropriate or deviating from the Faith, higher authorities such as Archbishops, Patriarchs, and Cardinals can intervene and even criticise their actions. This mutual submission between the clergy and the laity fosters a healthy system of accountability.
Finally, when encountering difficulties with a bishop's teaching, laity members are encouraged to take practical steps. This includes seeking a deeper understanding of the teachings, consulting catechists, priests, bishops, and theological experts, and engaging in dialogue with the Magisterium. Through intense and patient reflection, laity members can strive to understand the teachings' contents, arguments, and purposes and, if necessary, revise their own opinions while respecting the authority of the Church's teachings.
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Laity teaching Scripture to priests
The distinction between the clergy and the laity is not biblical, but rather arose when churches stopped identifying leaders from their congregations and began "calling" them from other places. In the Catholic Church, the clergy and laity are distinct, and the laity are subject to ecclesiastical authority. The laity must obey and respect the clergy, but in return, they have the right to obtain direction, protection, and service.
The laity has the right to be instructed in the truths of faith and religion, and consequently, to require their priests to give them and their children Christian teachings. However, the laity may not interfere in purely clerical offices, and any unauthorized interference would be considered unlawful and punishable. The laity are not granted permission to reject the teachings of the Pope, but rather, they are expected to follow and make known their teachings.
When encountering situations where it is difficult to accept something a bishop or pope says, prayer is recommended, along with taking practical steps to ensure understanding. The Magisterium often uses specialized language designed for professionals, so it is important to seek clarification and not rely solely on one's judgment. Theologians have a special responsibility to alert the Magisterium when they sense a problem, and this principle applies to both theologians and ordinary members of the faithful.
While it is uncommon for the laity to teach Scripture to priests, it is not unheard of. In the Catholic Church, a priest who has been laicized may be prohibited from delivering a homily or holding teaching posts in schools and universities. However, these limitations may be relaxed according to the judgment of the local bishop, including teaching theology in schools or universities. For example, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord requested laicization in 1802 to marry his long-time lover, and Pope Pius VII granted him permission to wear secular clothing, which was interpreted as laicization.
In summary, while the laity and clergy are distinct, the laity have the right to be instructed and to instruct their children. While it is uncommon, there may be instances where the laity teach Scripture to priests, particularly in the case of laicized priests who may be granted permission to teach by the local bishop.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are not supposed to cherry-pick papal teachings, accepting what appears true and rejecting what appears false. However, there is a distinction between the act of teaching and setting an example.
Bishops are responsible for teaching, offering good examples, and guiding others to preserve them in the Catholic faith.
Catholics can disagree with the Pope and still be Catholic, depending on what they disagree with. Papal infallibility only applies when the Pope teaches ex-cathedra, i.e., when he speaks on matters of faith and morals.
Ex-cathedra refers to when the Pope or Bishops teach or make pronouncements on doctrine and church discipline with infallibility.
Prayer is essential, but practical steps are also necessary. It is crucial to understand what is being said, as the Magisterium often uses specialized language designed for professionals like bishops and theologians. Consulting with catechists, priests, bishops, and theological experts can help clarify teachings and address personal difficulties with acceptance.
