Question about the Magisterium

[Holly3278]

Hey everyone. I have a question about the Magisterium. Is there a universal Magisterium and then another kind? I would appreciate the answer. Thanks!

 

[DavidFilmer]

There is the “ordinary” Magisterium - the Bishops of the worldwide teaching in union with the Pope. An example of this type of teaching was recently recognized by Blessed John Paul the Great regarding the Church’s inability to ordain women to priestly orders. Although this recognition came from the Pope, it was not taught by his singular authority, but by the authority of the Bishops around the world. JP2 was just the messenger.

Then there’s the “extraordinary” (ie, not ordinary) Magisterium. There are two types of this exercise of authority - an Ecumenical Council and a Papal ex Cathedra teaching. The Council of Trent and the teaching about the Immaculate Conception are examples of these types of authority. Although these forms of authority are not considered the ordinary forms, they are the ones that most people think of because they are the ones that are most clearly (and narrowly) defined.

Both ordinary and extraordinary teaching are equally binding upon all Catholics, but neither teaching is automatically regarded as infallible - both may be infallible, but are not automatically infallible.

 

[aemcpa]

The universal Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Pope and the whole college of bishops, which is binding on the whole Church. The individual bishops exercise a local teaching authority, i.e. a local Magisterium, within their own dioceses, or in episcopal conferences. It cannot conflict with the universal Magisterium, but supplements it and exercises local discretion on matters which are not universally binding.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Note that there is really 1 magisterium (cf. CCC#100) that functions as a universal magisterium or extraordinary magisterium, as described above. In either case, it’s still the bishops in union with the bishop of Rome doing the action in either a universal or extraordinary way.

 

[Holly3278]

Thanks everyone!