Download The Roman Catholic Church believes that it has the AUTHORITY

The Teaching Authority of the Roman Catholic Church WY
The Roman Catholic Church believes that it has the AUTHORITY FROM GOD to teach the TRUTH, to
guide its people and to lead them to goodness and heaven. How do they do this? Where do Roman Catholic
faith and belief come from? Why is authority structured around the Pope and Bishops? Why is the Pope
our leader? In this worksheet we will learn the answers to these questions and much more!
1. STRUCTURE OF AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH
At the top of the hierarchy are Bishops but
this is further subdivided into honorary
titles. Bishop is the highest rank. Obviously
the highest title is Pope!
POPE – BISHOP OF ROME
CARDINAL
ARCHBISHOP
BISHOP
BISHOP
P
PARISH PRIEST
CHAPLAIN
P
PERMANENT
TEMPORARY
PRIEST
DEACON
2. THE POPE
THE POPE
ORIGINS
OF
POSITION
OF POPE
The RC Church attach particular importance to the position of Pope.
He is called: ‘Bishop of Rome’, ‘Vicar of Christ’, ‘Successor to
Peter’, ‘Supreme Pontiff’, ‘Sovereign of the Vatican City’, ‘Servant
of the Servants of God’. The Pope is the leader of the Church, our
spiritual guide.
The Pope is recognised as the successor of Peter the apostle. Jesus
actually names Peter as the ‘leader’ of the Church in the Bible. So
for RC’s the Pope is Jesus’ representative on earth. He holds the
keys to heaven:
“You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my
Church….and to you Peter I give the keys of
heaven…………….
….what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited
in heaven and what you permit on earth will be
permitted in heaven…..
MATTHEW 16:18-20
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The Teaching Authority of the Roman Catholic Church WY
POPE INFALLIBILITY EXPLAINED!
The facts!
Despite what others believe
- this does not mean
everything the Pope says is
TRUE or that he can never
be wrong!
Catholic’s believe that when the
Pope speaks from the ‘throne’ (ex
cathedra) as the Head of the Church
on issues of Faith and Morals
GODS SPIRIT GUIDES HIM &
PROTECTS HIM FROM ERROR!
THE ASSUMPTION OF
MARY
In practice this authority is
rarely used – it has only
ever been issued twice!
Here are two times below:
THE IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION
SOURCES OF AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH
Unlike other denominations (Christian churches) the RC Church have 3 parts to their authority:
1. SCRIPTURE
2. TRADITION
3. MAGISTERIUM
The first Christians wrote down
the message of Jesus and these
books were eventually included in
the Bible. A written record of first
century Christian Faith.
This is oral Tradition not only in
words but also in actions and practice.
Not everything was recorded in
scripture. The RC Church believes we
have early Traditions still in place
today, which bring us closer to the
first Christian Communities. Some of
these include the Mass, the Apostles
Creed, the Clergy.
This is the Teaching Authority of the
Church. This includes all those
involved in teaching the faith and
morals of our Church. It is revealed in
many ways.
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
The New Testament gives
testimony to the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus- the Gospels.
It also gives us an insight into the
practices and beliefs of the early
Church – St Paul’s letters.
Apostolic Succession:
The apostles preached the faith and
Traditions and passed these on
through generations of Bishops. The
position of Bishop is a succession of
the first Apostles.
1. Papal Encyclicals – important
documents issued by the Pope.
2. The Catechism – an important book
summarising our beliefs and practices
3. Council Documents – writings that
come from any Church Councils
ALL THREE OF THESE
COME TOGETHER TO
MAKE UP THE ESSENTIAL
ELEMENTS OF OUR FAITH!
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The Teaching Authority of the Roman Catholic Church WY
Q. Why does the Roman Catholic Church have Bishops and a
Pope? = ‘APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION’
A. Apostolic Succession is the term used to describe the authority of the positions
given to the Pope and the Bishops of the world in the Roman Catholic Church.
THE POPE
The Roman Catholic Church believes it to be the "original" church started by the apostles.
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church is the Pope. The Pope is the bishop of Rome. Where
has this title of authority come from? Roman Catholics believe that Jesus made Peter (one
of the apostles) the leader of the church after his death, and that Peter took charge of the
Church in Rome (which was the capital of the Roman Empire and thus the most powerful and
important city of that time). This belief stems from Jesus’ words in the bible:
“Upon this rock I build my Church and to you Peter I give the keys of heaven”
Matthew 16:17-19
This does not mean that Peter controls who is forgiven and who enters heaven. Instead, it
reinforces the idea that you can come to know Jesus through the Church. Catholics
recognise the importance of the position of Pope because it was instituted by Jesus. This
Tradition has been past down through the years. When Peter died, another Pope took over,
and when he died another and another etc. So, the position of Bishop of Rome has always
been the position of the Pope, leader of the Catholic Church since its beginning. Each new
Pope is a successor of Peter. In other words they succeed (take over) from Peter. This
explains the use of the word ‘Succession’ in the phrase ‘Apostolic Succession’. Where do you
think the position of Bishop comes from?
BISHOPS
Similar to the position of the Pope, the position of Bishop also has authority and was
instituted by Jesus. The Tradition of ‘bishops’ as leaders in the Church has past down
through the years. When the apostles died, other leaders (Bishops) took over, and when they
died, more took over etc. The chosen 12 apostles were the first bishops. Each new Bishop is
a successor of the apostles. In other words they succeed (take over) from the apostles.
This again explains the use of the word ‘Succession’ in the phrase ‘Apostolic Succession’.
Q1. WHAT IS APOSTOLIC SUCESSION?
Q2. WHY DOES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAVE A POPE?
Q3. WHY DO BISHOPS HAVE AUTHORITY?
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The Teaching Authority of the Roman Catholic Church WY
WHAT TYPE OF AUTHORITY DOES THE BISHOPS/POPE HAVE?
The definition of ‘authority’ is:
“An Influence resulting from knowledge…. It is NOT to control or force!”
The authority given to the Pope and Bishops of the RC Church is based on knowledge and
understanding which are believed to be gifts of the Holy Spirit. Christians believe all
authority comes from God. Jesus, as Son of God, taught with authority; “the people were
amazed with his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority” (Mark 1:22).
This authority was past-on to the apostles of Jesus:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I
have commanded you”
(Matthew 28: 19-20)
Teaching is an essential means of passing on the Christian Faith once the first generation of
apostles died. Since that time the Catholic Church has taken on this role. This is primarily
the task of the Church Magisterium. To help Catholic’s worldwide to understand the faith.
What is the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church?
Magisterium is a Latin word meaning, “teaching authority”. It was adopted by the Church
during the time of Vatican I (1869-70). As the Church is the whole People of God, the
authority to teach is given to the Catholic community as a whole- so are all part of the
Magisterium. However, in practice authority can only be exercised by certain people for the
good of everyone (i.e. we can teach others but the bishops and the Pope teach the worldwide
Church). The Magisterium of the Church is therefore the Pope and his Bishops.
The term Magisterium can be used in two ways;


‘Ordinary Magisterium’ – The day-to-day teaching of the Bishops and Priests i.e. in
their Parishes and to some extent the Pope’s teaching on the World-wide Church
‘Extraordinary Magisterium’ – The teaching authority used rarely through formal
statements made by the Councils or the Pope himself. (esp. issues of morality or faith)
Q1. What is ‘authority’? (1)
Q2. What type of ‘authority’ is given to the Pope and Bishops of the Catholic Church
and give one piece of evidence for this? (3)
Q3. What does the word ‘magisterium’ mean? (1)
Q4. Explain the Magisterium and say what they do? (5)
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