Professional Documents
Culture Documents
and Magisterium
Scripture
• Sacred scripture is seen as the foundation of the faith, as it
contains the teachings of Jesus Christ, the history of
salvation, and the moral teachings of the Church.
• The Greek word for scripture is" graphe".
• Catholics believe that the Bible is the written word of God
and refer to it for guidance in their life and faith.
• Catholics also view the scriptures as part of the living
tradition of the Church, which is passed down from
generation to generation. This living tradition includes not
only the written word of scripture, but also the oral,
liturgical, and spiritual traditions of the Church.
Tradition
• The Catholic faith is steeped in tradition. For centuries, the
Church has passed down teachings, rituals, and practices
that have been observed and celebrated by its devoters.
• It is meant to build a sense of community among believers.
Regardless of the specific tradition, all Catholic practices
are meant to draw believers closer to God and to lead
them to the ultimate end of salvation. The Catholic faith is
also known for its strong emphasis on prayer, liturgy, and
devotion to the Bible. All of these traditions are meant to
bring people closer to God and remind them of the
importance of living a life of faith.
Magisterium
• The magisterium is the authoritative interpreter of both
Scripture and Tradition.
• It is derived from the Latin word magister, which means
"teacher".
• It is made up of bishops, priests, and other church leaders
who are entrusted with the responsibility of teaching and
preserving the Catholic faith. The Magisterium is guided by
the Holy Spirit and is responsible for deciding matters of faith
and morals
• The Magisterium has been given the authority to interpret and
teach the truths of the Catholic faith and to ensure that the
faithful remain in communion with the Church.
The relationship among these three
elements can be summarized as follows: