Accountability

[spau0035]

I’m sure that most those who frequent these forums are aware of the recent news surrounding Father Ryan Erickson. After reading various articles about those most unfortunate set of events I began to ponder the hierarchal nature of the Catholic Church.
Last year I had attended a very independent Pentecostal orientated church near campus. When I returned to school this year I had decided that I would no longer be involved with them. A lot of my rational for making this decision centered around my own convictions that such independence is both dangerous and contrary to a historical view of the church. My thinking has been along the lines of that a strong system of accountability among local churches leads to both stronger local churches and a unity of belief. After reading about these events I could not help but think something went terribly wrong; where was this accountability that I expected to see? I was wondering if anyone happens to know what systems of accountability between the levels of church leadership exist within the Catholic Church? Thanks.

Steven.

 

[DavidFilmer]

spau0035:

I’m sure that most those who frequent these forums are aware of the recent news surrounding Father Ryan Erickson.

Well, I, for one, had never heard of him (and, now that I’ve Googled him, I kinda wish it has stayed that way!).

I was wondering if anyone happens to know what systems of accountability between the levels of church leadership exist within the Catholic Church?

Accountability within the Church is both strong and weak.

It all hinges on the individual Bishops. Clerics within a diocese vow allegience to the Bishop (not the Pope, etc). To a large extent, the Bishop is like a king - his word is pretty much law in his own Diocese.

The Bishop is loosely accountable to the Pope. Every four years, each Bishop must visit the Pope and present a report on the state of his Diocese, and also offer his resignation (which is almost always declined). Other than that, the Pope is not likely to concern himself with the affairs of the Bishops unless something really significant is going on.

So clerics are accountable to the Bishop, who is fairly autonomous. This is both strong and weak. It’s strong because the Bishop’s authority is fairly absolute. It’s weak because some Bishops have poor leadership skills and don’t exercise this authority very well.

Where you have a Bishop who is a good leader and faithful to the teaching of the Church, you have a good system of uniform accountability within the Diocese. If the Bishop lacks either of these qualities, things go downhill pretty fast.

 

[spau0035]

Thanks for the reply and cheers to binary!

I would think that in the interest of promoting the faith the selection of Bishops would be more stringent in regard to leadership qualities.

After reading your reply I had some more questions which I’ll post here for now and see if I get any answers. Sorry for so many; I’m just so excited to see if I can get some answers.

When a priest needs to confess who do they confess to?

How can Catholics claim that Bishops possess teaching authority if they are not always “faithful to the teaching of the Church?”

Are all Bishops part of the Magisterium?

Do priests possess the same teaching authority as Bishops?

 

[CatholicCid]

spau0035:

When a priest needs to confess who do they confess to?

Priests (And all Clergy are only human) confess to other Priests…

Not any hierarchy of Confession order, as then who would the Pope confess to

 

[Lorrie]

Here’s a good (good meaning thorough) article I found on Father Ryan Erickson if anyone is interested:

citypages.com/databank/26/1296/article13748.asp

 

[threej_lc]

Two words: Spiritual Director

Josh

 

[DavidFilmer]

spau0035:

When a priest needs to confess who do they confess to?

Any priest or bishop may hear anyone’s Confession (though it’s uncommon for Bishops to hear Confessions). A Bishop (including the Pope) may confess to any priest.

How can Catholics claim that Bishops possess teaching authority if they are not always “faithful to the teaching of the Church?”

The Bishops possess this authority collectively, not individually.

Are all Bishops part of the Magisterium?

Of course. They ARE the Magesterium.

Do priests possess the same teaching authority as Bishops?

Bishops teach with authority granted by the Holy Spirit. Priests teach with authority granted by the Bishops (and they are supposed to be teaching what the Bishop instructs and wants them to teach). So the teaching authority of priests is indirect and dependent on the Bishop; they have no authority within themselves.