Lesson 9 The Magisterium of the Church

The teaching authority of the Catholic Church, specifically the Pope and
the bishops in his communion, is referred to as the Magisterium.
- It is a key idea in Catholic theology and dogma and is essential to
clarifying and disseminating Church doctrines.

The term magisterium is based on the Latin word for

“teacher” (magister).
- In contemporary Catholic usage, it has several meanings. First, it
refers to the teaching authority which Christ has given to the
Church.
- Here the term refers to the authority itself, not those who exercise
it.
- This usage appears in statements like, “The Church exercises its
magisterium when it authoritatively proclaims Christ’s teachings.”

Second, the term refers to those who exercise this teaching authority—
in other words, to the pope and the bishops teaching in union with him.
Collectively, they are referred to as the “Magisterium,” as in “the
Magisterium has infallibly taught that God is a Trinity.”

Third, the term can refer to a particular body of teachings that have
been authoritatively proclaimed.
This usage appears in statements like, “Humanae Vitae belongs to the
magisterium of St. Paul VI.”

The Magisterium of the Church

“The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God,
whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been
entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority
in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.” This means that
the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in
communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome. (CCC 85)

“This Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God but is its servant.
It teaches only what has been handed on to it. At the divine command
and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it listens to this devotedly, guards it
with dedication, and expounds it faithfully. All that it proposes for belief
as being divinely revealed is drawn from this single deposit of faith.”
Mindful of Christ’s words to his apostles: “He who hears you, hears me”,
The faithful receive with docility the teachings and directives that their
pastors give them in different forms. (CCC 86 – 87)

The Magisterium Is often divided into two primary components:

Ordinary Magisterium
This consists of the continuous and consistent teaching of the Pope and
the bishops, especially when they are in agreement on matters of faith
and morals.
It does not necessarily involve formal, infallible pronouncements.

The teachings of the Ordinary Magisterium are considered authoritative

and binding on the faithful.
When the bishops in communion with the Roman Pontiff being one in
faith and in mission however dispersed in the world announce the faith
with one mind.

The Extraordinary Magisterium

This includes formal, infallible teachings and pronouncements, which
are considered to be free from error.
The most well-known exercise of the extraordinary Magisterium is
when the Pope speaks “ex cathedra” (from the chair), making a solemn,
infallible declaration concerning a matter of faith or morals.
Such declarations are rare and reserved for matters of significant
theological importance.

When the bishops united at an ecumenical council speak as teachers

and judge on questions of faith and morals, or
When the Roman Pontiff, as head of the episcopal college announces in
virtue of his office as the supreme pastor and teacher of all the
Christian faithful a doctrine of faith or morals in a definitive act (LG 25).

A biblical basis for the Church’s teaching authority is found in the Great
Commission as it was given by Jesus:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20).
It is also reflected in the Church’s mission to be “the pillar and bulwark
of the truth” in the world (1 Tim. 3:15).

The Magisterium can exercise its teaching authority in many ways, and
it typically does so in its official documents.
Interviews with popes and bishops, not being official Church
documents, typically do not involve an exercise of the magisterium.
Neither do books that popes and bishops publish as private individuals
(e.g., Benedict XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth series or Cardinal Robert
Sarah’s The Power of Silence), though they often contain references to
things that the Church has authoritatively taught.

When it does speak officially, the Magisterium can exercise its authority
in different degrees.
At the low end, the Magisterium may merely propose an idea for the
consideration of the faithful without imposing it authoritatively.
At the high end, the Magisterium may infallibly teach a truth, binding
the faithful to definitively believe or hold it. It can also exercise any
degree of authority between these levels.
A particular mistake to be avoided is thinking that, just because
something has not been taught infallibly, it is optional.
This is not the case, and the degree of authority with which the
Magisterium has taught must be recognized.

When considering the authority that statements in magisterial

documents have, one must make a careful assessment.
The degree of authority “becomes clear from the nature of the
documents, the insistence with which a teaching is repeated, and the
very way in which it is expressed” (Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, Donum Veritatis 24).

Summary
What is meant by the Magisterium of the Church?
The Magisterium is the official teaching authority of the Church,
constituted by the Pope and the bishops in union with him. Its authority
comes from Christ, and its guidance comes from the Holy Spirit.

What is the Magisterium of the Church and why is it needed?

1. The Magisterium is an official ecclesial task conferred by the
sacrament of Orders. Therefore, as an institutional element of the
Church, it can only exist in the Church, so that the individual
members of the Magisterium use their authority and sacred
power to build up their flocks in truth and holiness.

What is the role of the Magisterium in the Church today?

Magisterium – Teaching Office
Instead, the Magisterium is clearly under its authority–it is the servant
of the Word. Its role is to faithfully safeguard the truth about God and
his plan for our lives which came to full expression in the teaching and
saving work of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
How does the Magisterium contribute to the strength of the Catholic
Church?
The Catholic Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Catholic
Church, invested in the Pope and the bishops. From the exercise of the
Magisterium comes the official teaching of the Catholic Church.
Jan 6, 2017

What are the 3 functions of Magisterium?

PONTIFICAL MAGISTERIUM: The Pope uses papal infallibility to decide a
doctrine.
CONCILLIAR MAGISTERIUM:The Pope calls a general council to decide
teachings (e.g. Vatican II).
ORDINARY MAGISTERIUM: When the Bishops teach what has always
been taught.

What is the relationship between Scripture and the Magisterium?

Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium are so closely united with
each other that one of them cannot stand without the others. Working
together, each in its own way, under the action of the one holy Spirit,
they all contribute effectively to the salvation of souls.

Is the Magisterium Is the teaching authority of the Church?

The teaching authority of the Catholic Church, called the Magisterium,
lies with all of the bishops who are led by the pope and guided by the
Holy Spirit. The pope and bishops are the authoritative teachers in the
Church.