2 replies to this topic

[BarbaraTherese]

I dont very often at all read the In Depth Analysis on Catholic Culture, because usually it goes right over my head. This one, however, caught my eye and I decided to read and for once it didn't go over my head and had some important things to say that even I could understand. I decided not to put it in the Debate Forum, since it is not, to my mind, open to debate.............. discussion - yes. But if I am wrong, and never the impossible for sure, no problems here if it is shifted.

In Depth Analysis
Eternal Rome vs. the Magisterium: A Contemporary Myth

http://www.catholicc...cles.cfm?id=541

Excerpt only:
....................",,,,,,,,,,,,,The key principle is simply this: The Catholic Faith is unique among all religions in that it contains within it a divinely guaranteed principle of authority, namely the Magisterium of the successors of Peter, and their universal jurisdiction over the entire Church. Against this authority, which comes from God Himself, it is impossible to appeal. And it is precisely her possession of this authority which makes Catholicism unique among all religions, the only faith which is guaranteed by God Himself to be true.
Moreover, a corollary is equally clear: Those who reject the Magisterium in their own time, when it is teaching about the questions with which they themselves are intimately engaged, in fact reject the Magisterium whole and entire, the Magisterium of every age, the authority of Christ himself.
The Truth about the Magisterium
The Magisterium cannot be set against itself without destroying the fundamental claims of Catholicism. What many or most Traditionalists claim—that the Magisterium since 1960 has contradicted the Magisterium of “eternal Rome” by teaching errors as distinct from “perennial doctrine” is a clear and total subversion of the authority principle which animates Catholicism, which makes it wholly unique, and which alone guarantees its veracity.........".........

And for a really good and quite simple explanation of what IS The Magisterium :

http://www.therealpr...magisterium.htm

Both websites are regarded as sound Catholic sources.

Edited by BarbaraTherese, 18 July 2012 - 01:33 AM.

[cmotherofpirl]

this" [6] In other words, the Magisterium can be looked at as both the accumulated tradition of its acts and decrees through the ages as well as a living voice, capable of responding to new issues that arise and deciding definitively about points of doctrine, as necessary for the welfare of the people of God. But in doing so, the Magisterium does not invent new doctrines, for "this Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it." [7 ]"

[BarbaraTherese]

this" [6] In other words, the Magisterium can be looked at as both the accumulated tradition of its acts and decrees through the ages as well as a living voice, capable of responding to new issues that arise and deciding definitively about points of doctrine, as necessary for the welfare of the people of God. But in doing so, the Magisterium does not invent new doctrines, for "this Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it." [7 ]"

Thank you, MoP. There was much in the article that appealled to me and gave me a better understanding of how to explain things and particularly (besides your quote above) this: "The Magisterium cannot be set against itself without destroying the fundamental claims of Catholicism" If we dispute one teaching or statement by the Magisterium, then everything that The Church teaches about The Magisterium must collapse in the wake of that dispute.
The section on obedience is particularly important I thought too.
As I said, usually In Depth Analysis on Catholic Calture goes right over my head, but just lately the author seems to be writing more simply and more (as well) for the ordinary everyday sort of Catholic and an essential in The Church............that we ordinary-ers in the pews can understand what on earth they are on about!