What Is the Magisterium in the Catholic Church?
The magisterium is the teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church. The church holds that this authority was given to it by Christ himself. It uses this authority to explain to the faithful what God expects of them. The teachings of the magisterium have been recorded since the beginning of church history. The Catholic Almanac notes that it has been documented in creeds, decrees, councils and other kinds of doctrinal instruments.
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Authority from Christ
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The magisterium is infallible because Christ promised to protect the teachings of the church, according to Catholicism. Father William Most cites Jesus' words in Luke 10:16: "He who hears you, hears me; he who rejects you rejects me, rejects Him who sent me." Father Most argues that because the promises of Christ cannot fail, when the church articulates a doctrine as definitive, then it is infallible. Christ gave this authority to the Apostles; the Catholic Church believes that its own bishops and pope are the legitimate successors to them.
Agreement with Rome
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The church believes that a dissenter in its ranks is theologically mistaken and loses divine authority. When bishops are not in communion and agreement with the church leaders in Rome, they do not have the authority of the magisterium. They do have full power, duty and authority to teach the faithful when they are in communion with Rome.
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Living Magisterium
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Catholics believe that the magisterium is a living interpretation of old Christian truths. The church looks back at old documents -- whether the Bible or the writings of the early church fathers -- and finds the contemporary meaning, judging the documents with present thought. The Catholic Encyclopedia says that the present thought of the church is in continuity with its traditional thought. Although the church makes extensive use of old, traditional church documents, it "judges them more than she is judged by them."
Teaching Methods
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The magisterium teaches the faithful in two ways: the Solemn Magistirium and the Ordinary Magisterium. The Solemn Magisterium is far less common and highly formal. A pope or council pronounces some formal definition. The Ordinary Magisterium is concerned with everyday faith and morals, and it is based on the universal practice of the Catholic Church.
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References
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