©2012 Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Keep in mind that the word “legitimate” is paramount. There is no requirement to obey a bishop if he exceeds his legitimate authority.
Canon Law also spells out the submission that Catholics owe to the bishop:
Canon 753. “Although they do not enjoy infallible teaching authority, the bishops in communion with the head and members of the college, whether as individuals or gathered in conferences of bishops or in particular councils, are authentic teachers and instructors of the faith for the faithful entrusted to their care; the faithful must adhere to the authentic teaching of their own bishops with a religious assent of soul.”
Canon Law also describes the responsibility of a bishop to ensure discipline.
Can. 392 §1. “Since the Bishop must defend the unity of the universal Church, he is bound to foster the discipline which is common to the whole Church, and so press for the observance of all ecclesiastical laws.”
§2. “He is to ensure that abuses do not creep into ecclesiastical discipline, especially concerning the ministry of the word, the celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals, the worship of God and the cult of the saints, and the administration of goods.”
Canon Law specifically states that a person who disobeys the rightful authority of his bishop may be subject to punishment.
Can. 137. “The following are to be punished with a just penalty:”
2° “a person who in any other way does not obey the lawful command or prohibition of the Apostolic See or the Ordinary or Superior and, after being warned, persists in disobedience.”
Having therefore established clearly the Bishop’s authority, we can now look to a lay Catholic’s rights within the Church. The laity has the right to petition the bishop if we disagree with him, but we do not have the right to disobey him when he is exercising his legitimate authority.
Canon 212, § 1. “The Christian faithful, conscious of their own responsibility, are bound by Christian obedience to follow what the sacred pastors, as representatives of Christ, declare as teachers of the faith or determine as leaders of the Church.”
Canon 212, § 2. “The Christian faithful are free to make known their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires to the pastors of the Church.”
Canon 221 §1 “Christ’s faithful may lawfully vindicate and defend the rights they enjoy in the Church, before the competent ecclesiastical forum in accordance with the law.”
We must submit to the rightful authority of the bishop – even if it is not what we want. We are no holier than the saints who went before us who were treated “roughly” by their superiors – even by Rome.
Two instances come to mind – St. “Padre” Pio and St. Faustina. We must take their example of humility and accept any proper directive that we might receive – and do it with a smile on our faces.
If we want the crown, we must first take the cross because that’s how it works. If we are not prepared to do this, then the Lord will lift that cross off our shoulders and give it someone else who will carry it the rest of the way. Crucifixion is for all. Few accept it, and still fewer endure it.
Fundamentally, disobedience to the bishop’s lawful authority is prideful and as such, sinful.
Do We Have the Right to Disobey Our Bishop When He is Exercising His Legitimate Authority?
©2012 Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Keep in mind that the word “legitimate” is paramount. There is no requirement to obey a bishop if he exceeds his legitimate authority.
Canon Law also spells out the submission that Catholics owe to the bishop:
Canon 753. “Although they do not enjoy infallible teaching authority, the bishops in communion with the head and members of the college, whether as individuals or gathered in conferences of bishops or in particular councils, are authentic teachers and instructors of the faith for the faithful entrusted to their care; the faithful must adhere to the authentic teaching of their own bishops with a religious assent of soul.”
Canon Law also describes the responsibility of a bishop to ensure discipline.
Can. 392 §1. “Since the Bishop must defend the unity of the universal Church, he is bound to foster the discipline which is common to the whole Church, and so press for the observance of all ecclesiastical laws.”
§2. “He is to ensure that abuses do not creep into ecclesiastical discipline, especially concerning the ministry of the word, the celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals, the worship of God and the cult of the saints, and the administration of goods.”
Canon Law specifically states that a person who disobeys the rightful authority of his bishop may be subject to punishment.
Can. 137. “The following are to be punished with a just penalty:”
2° “a person who in any other way does not obey the lawful command or prohibition of the Apostolic See or the Ordinary or Superior and, after being warned, persists in disobedience.”
Having therefore established clearly the Bishop’s authority, we can now look to a lay Catholic’s rights within the Church. The laity has the right to petition the bishop if we disagree with him, but we do not have the right to disobey him when he is exercising his legitimate authority.
Canon 212, § 1. “The Christian faithful, conscious of their own responsibility, are bound by Christian obedience to follow what the sacred pastors, as representatives of Christ, declare as teachers of the faith or determine as leaders of the Church.”
Canon 212, § 2. “The Christian faithful are free to make known their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires to the pastors of the Church.”
Canon 221 §1 “Christ’s faithful may lawfully vindicate and defend the rights they enjoy in the Church, before the competent ecclesiastical forum in accordance with the law.”
We must submit to the rightful authority of the bishop – even if it is not what we want. We are no holier than the saints who went before us who were treated “roughly” by their superiors – even by Rome.
Two instances come to mind – St. “Padre” Pio and St. Faustina. We must take their example of humility and accept any proper directive that we might receive – and do it with a smile on our faces.
If we want the crown, we must first take the cross because that’s how it works. If we are not prepared to do this, then the Lord will lift that cross off our shoulders and give it someone else who will carry it the rest of the way. Crucifixion is for all. Few accept it, and still fewer endure it.
Fundamentally, disobedience to the bishop’s lawful authority is prideful and as such, sinful.
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