PAT and Lois O’Shea’s letter (CL 9/04/06) is headed “Doctrinal truth evolves” (a verb taken from the body of the letter).
This is a less than happy and potentially misleading word choice.
The technical theological term is “development of doctrine” which means (putting it briefly) that something formerly implicit in the deposit of faith becomes, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, more explicit.
The role and responsibility for this belong to the magisterium, that is, the teaching authority which was given to “Peter and the 11” (Acts 2:14) by Jesus Christ himself.
Their successors are the Pope and the bishops in union with him.
Fidelity to the magisterium is, therefore, fidelity to Christ, because the Church is his Mystical Body, and he is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
It would take a very long reply to deal with all the points raised in the letter. I would be happy to comment on each of them, but space does not permit.
It is, however, important that one basic consideration be mentioned, namely, the real distinction between Catholic doctrine and discipline.
This is essential for a rational and clear theological discussion.
They are not the same, and it would seem that many, whatever their shade of theology, are unaware of the difference.
How often one sees them linked together in the same sentence, as though they are the same. The result is confusion.
Doctrine, briefly, is Catholic teaching on faith (what we believe) and morals (our behaviour).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to them as the Creed and God’s commandments (CCC no 26).
Discipline, briefly, is laws made by the Church. Obviously, the Church has the power and authority to change her own laws if and when she sees fit – this is part of the “binding and loosing” given by Jesus Christ himself (see Mt 16:19 and 18:18).
Doctrine is a different “kettle of fish” altogether. The two should never be confused, but they often are.
For a good, clear exposition of what is required of the faithful in regard to Catholic doctrine, one only has to consult the Vatican II Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium pars 22-25.
Par 25 of Lumen Gentium reads in part: “Loyal submission of the will and intellect must be given, in a special way, to the authoritative magisterium of the Roman Pontiff, even when he does not speak ex cathedra in such wise, indeed, that his supreme magisterium be acknowledged with respect, and that one sincerely adhere to decisions by him, according to his manifest mind and intention.”
This has already happened, for example, on the subject of female priests.
Pope John Paul II made it clear that his decision on this matter is to be held, (and not just discussed) “by all the faithful”, and it is a matter of doctrine not discipline.
No wonder confusion reigns supreme in the minds of many Catholics, when there is really no need for it.
Fidelity to the magisterium is the answer, according to the principles clearly spelled out in Lumen Gentium.
FR M. DURHAM
Rockhampton, Qld
