SOME THOUGHTS CONCERNING AUTHORITY IN THE ROMAN-CATHOLIC CHURCH

Abstract

The paper dealt with the topic of authority in the church affirm s that the exercise of legitimate authority is granted by god, whose divine son iounded the church. It is also exercised within lim its determ ined by the sam e divine founder having asserted the divine origin ofauthority against tendencies to see the teaching office of the church as representative of human fonts of authority, it is necessary to recallthat aiterthe close of the apostolic age, the aposties’ successors, the bishops, are form ed into an ordo by ordination, and that ordo or college exercises the function of teaching and judging, assisted by the Holy Spirit. This assistance is distinct from revelation and inspiration, and normally results in time-consuming — and therefore prudent! — synodal procedures.

Keywords

• Roman-Catholic Church
• church authority
• church power
• dogmatic constitution
• Episcopal ministry