Authority Given to the Apostles John 20:21: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Jesus gave His Apostles the mission He received from the Father, and the power/offices to execute that mission as priest, prophet, and king. – Prophet – mandate to teach/preach universally (Matthew 28:18) – King – ruling/authority (Luke 10:16, Matthew 10:40, Matthew 18:18) – Priest – priestly duties (Luke 22:19 [Eucharist], Matthew 28:19 [baptism], John 20:23 [reconciliation])

Pope Cardinals Bishops Priests Deacons Religious Laity

Hierarchy The Church hierarchy is based upon the apostles— the modern day bishops of the Church. – Pope—founded with the adoption of the apostles. Visible head of the Universal Church Entails primacy—first place—in the Church, referring to the authority to teach, govern, and sanctify all members of the Church. – Cardinals—title given to select bishops, duties include voting in papal elections (if younger than 80). – Bishops—each bishop is a shepherd, deriving his authority from Christ, and he is responsible for governing the local Church.

Holy Orders Three levels of Ordination: 1.Deacon: Ministers of the Gospel, cannot forgive sins and cannot confect the Eucharist. 2.Priest: Can administer the Sacraments (except Holy Orders); is meant to minister to the lay faithful. 3.Bishop: Fullness of Holy Orders. Can administer all of the sacraments. Successor of the apostles and is the head of the local Church (diocese). The priestly ordination leaves an indelible mark on the soul of the man ordained. This means that the man is perfectly configured to Christ, in his priestly ministry. This mark can never be removed and does not leave the soul at death. “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek (Heb 7:17).”

Magisterium Magisterium—teaching office Extraordinary Magisterium: – The formal exercise of the teaching office of the Pope and the bishops and it is always authoritative. Is infallible when the Pope alone ex cathedra, or an Ecumenical Council of the bishops of the world with the Pope, defines or proclaims a doctrine of faith or morals. Ordinary Magisterium: – Normal, regular exercise of the Church’s teaching office Encyclical letters of the Pope Statements from a Synod – A meeting of bishops of an ecclesiastical province to discuss the doctrinal and pastoral needs of the Church Individual instruction from the bishops to the faithful in their dioceses

Free from Error The teachings of Christ showed the way to eternal salvation, it is extremely important that they remain in their essentials free from error. – “But the Counselor; the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” – John 14: 26 – “When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” – John 16:13 These passages are evidence of the Church’s infallibility.

Infallibility Infallibility belongs to the whole Church. – The legitimate authorities of the Church—the Pope and the bishops. Whenever the bishops in union with the Pope teach or proclaim a matter of faith or morals as something which must be definitively held, these teachings are infallible. Infallibility of the Pope 1.The Pope must be speaking on matters of faith and morals. 2.The Pope must be speaking to the whole Church. 3.The Pope must be speaking ex cathedra. 4.With the intention of using papal authority to pronounce an unchangeable decision. Infallibility of the Magisterium – The bishops in communion with the Pope, propose a teaching that leads to a better understanding of Revelation in a matter of faith and morals (at Ecumenical Councils).

Doctrine of Papal Infallibility Papal infallibility was always believed by the Church but was never formally pronounced until the First Vatican Council in A formal, infallible definition, either by the Pope himself or by an ecumenical council of the Church, introduces no new teaching, no new doctrine (it is reaffirming of a belief). The Pope is not infallible because a Church council said he was, but rather, the Church can say so only because the Pope is infallible and the Church has always believed it. Though the Pope is infallible, he is not impeccable— the Pope can sin.

The Church Governs The Church governs in the way of upholding and defining teachings. – Dogma—The revealed teachings of Christ proclaimed to the fullest extent of the exercise of the authority of the Church’s Magisterium. Dogmas are obligatory. The Divinity of Christ Mary as Theotokos – Doctrine—those elements that are essential beliefs of our faith. Four Marks of the Church Mary as Co-Redemptrix

Discipline The Church institutes rules for her members in order to lead them to holiness of life. – Rules: Abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays in Lent. Fasting – Does not apply to those under the age of 14, or who have dietary needs (diabetics). Eucharistic fast (one hour prior to receiving the Eucharist). Reception of the Eucharist (on hand or tongue). There is a distinction between discipline and doctrine: – Matters of doctrine are things revealed to us by God and therefore cannot be changed by us. – Matters of discipline are practices that have developed over time, laws made by the proper authorities, and thus they can be changed by the Church.

Obedience Obedient—to comply with the will of another who has the authority to command us. The Church has authority from Christ and the Church speaks for Christ. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” – Romans 5:19 – In his obedience to the Father, Christ atoned for our sins. – It is love “to the end” that confers on Christ’s sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation, as atonement and satisfaction.