Does authority really lead to unity?

[David123]

In my experience, it seems that many Protestants who convert to Catholicism are, as I was, disillusioned with the endless divisions within Protestantism due, at least in part, to *sola scriptura *and the principle of private interpretation. The ecclesiatical authority of the Catholic Church appears to cure this problem.

Yet it is also my own experience that, since becoming Catholic, there is a lot of division in the Catholic Church as well. Now, somebody might respond, “But all Catholics believe in the same essential doctrines.” But that is exactly the answer I was given by a Protestant minister regarding Protestantism, i.e., that all Protestants agree on the essentials of Christianity. Yet, whether I ask a Protestant or a Catholic to define “the essentials”, I get a different answer. And pointing to the Catechism hasn’t solved my dilemna either because it seems that different Catholics have different takes on what the CCC says or what it means (the same applies to the Documents of Vatican II, which, finally, I am in the process of reading for myself).

So, my question is this: Can Catholics really appeal to the authority of the Church as a solution to division when there seems to be so much division among Catholics themselves? Nothing is more frustrating, for me, than trying to get a straight answer about the Faith. Everyone has his/her own answer, can quote the relevant Church document to support it, and yet give so many contradictory answers. How is this any different from Protestantism? Are Catholics doing with Tradition what Protestants do with scripture, that is, making themselves the final interpretive authority?

This sub-forum seems to be the place where the most inter-Catholic bickering goes on, so that’s why I’m posting here.

I ask this question in all sincerity, not trying to start another verbal fight. I’d like to solve this dilemna that I’ve been dwelling on for some time.

 

[consumedconvert]

I can identify with your frustration.

But get your doctrine not from this board, and not from your friends; get it from official sources–the Ecumenical Councils, everything that comes out of the CDF, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If you rely on other books–as you will from time to time–you must make sure it has an Imprimatur or imprimi potest, and look for frequent references to Church Documents.

 

[rpp]

I understand your frustration. And I think this division is actually influenced by a false sense of independence. The source of this comes from both the American (secular) philosophy of “rugged individualism” and a false sense of freedom as well as the influence of the Protestant Reformation that is still ringing through the Church.

Such problems have not been helped by people such as Gregory Baum, Hans Kung (arch-liberals), Bishop Marcel Lefebvre and Bishop Fellay (arch-traditionalists). all of whom have sown division in the Church.

That many bishops are either not terribly faithful to Church teachings themselves, or are unwilling or unable to effectively address dissent within their diocese certainly contributes to this rather serious problem.

Unfortunately, I think this is an issue we will have to deal with for quite some time.

 

[David123]

I understand your frustration. And I think this division is actually influenced by a false sense of independence. The source of this comes from both the American (secular) philosophy of “rugged individualism” and a false sense of freedom as well as the influence of the Protestant Reformation that is still ringing through the Church.

Rpp, you make a great point. I must admit that I get confused when I hear phrases like, “The Church must return to Tradition.” Isn’t it the Church’s role to interpret Tradition? I run up against a certain attitude that goes something like, “I’ll follow the Church as long as they don’t do anything that leads to error or harm of souls, etc.”. But isn’t that about the same as saying “I’ll follow the Church in all areas except where I think She’s wrong.” And isn’t that essentially a Protestant approach to authority?

It feels sometimes like I need a PhD in theology and a canon law degree just to understand this stuff.

 

[ethelzguy]

I believe that authority does lead to unity.

It is the rejection of that authority, sometimes manifested in “cafeteria Catholicism”, that leads to division.

I agree with post number two. If you try to get your Catechism here, you will likely wind up one confused puppy.

 

[Genesis315]

Authority is only a source of unity if people follow it. Obviously rejection of the authority leads to dissension. As St. Francis de Sales put it:

for if she followed a pastor, and the pastor erred, how would she be holy; if she followed him not, how would she be one? And what confusion would be seen in Christendom, while the one party should consider a law good the others bad, and while the sheep, instead of feeding and fattening in the pasture of Scripture and the Holy Word, should occupy themselves in controlling the decision of their superior?

Authority creates unity between those who desire to be faithful, but dissension with those who desire not to be. On the other hand, a lack of authority leads to a lack of unity amongst even those who desire to be faithful.