When is it okay to disagree with the Church?

[DeoJuventute]

When, if ever, is it permissible to disagree with the Church?

For example, what if I said, “I disagree with the Pope about his position on the War in Iraq?” Or, “I don’t think that communion should be taken by hand, even though the Church teaches that it’s okay?” Or, “I think that the Church was morally wrong to not do more for the Jews during the Holocaust?”

I’m not talking about the merit of these criticisms, mind you, I’m only asking whether or not these are okay thoughts to have? If they’re sinful, are they mortally sinful?

 

[OraLabora]

When, if ever, is it permissible to disagree with the Church?

For example, what if I said, “I disagree with the Pope about his position on the War in Iraq?” Or, “I don’t think that communion should be taken by hand, even though the Church teaches that it’s okay?” Or, “I think that the Church was morally wrong to not do more for the Jews during the Holocaust?”

I’m not talking about the merit of these criticisms, mind you, I’m only asking whether or not these are okay thoughts to have? If they’re sinful, are they mortally sinful?

None of the things that you quoted are de fide, meaning, dogmatic teachings of the Church that you are required to believe in. They are matters of prudential judgement. Therefore you can disagree with them without putting your soul in peril. On the other hand disagreeing with the elements of the Credo… those are dogmatic teachings (God the Father, His son Jesus Christ, the Virgin Birth, etc.), and form the basic beliefs of Catholicism.

 

[DeoJuventute]

None of the things that you quoted are de fide, meaning, dogmatic teachings of the Church that you are required to believe in. They are matters of prudential judgement. Therefore you can disagree with them without putting your soul in peril. On the other hand disagreeing with the elements of the Credo… those are dogmatic teachings (God the Father, His son Jesus Christ, the Virgin Birth, etc.), and form the basic beliefs of Catholicism.

Thanks for your reply. As I understand it, a Catholic is required to accept and submit himself to the magesterial teaching of the Church. And I know what that means, but I don’t know what what comes from the Magesterium and what comes from the non-binding opinions of the Holy Father’s mind. If I believe that communion should not be taken by hand, I assume I’m going against the magesterial teaching of the Church that says that it is okay. So I’m afraid that it would be incredulity or even heresy. Or is that not a magesterial teaching?

 

[Bookcat]

One is to assent to the Teachings of the Church and follow the disciplines of the Church.

Some assent is the assent of Faith…other assent is for example the religious submission of intellect and will (depending on what it is).

As to discipline like the permission to receive communion in the hand (which is a very ancient practice) one can personally prefer to receive on the tongue while permitting others their right to receive in the hand.

One can even think “gee I would like to see communion in the hand not longer practiced”. With of course the right Christian dispositions. Or one may think “I really wish that they would not permit Altar Girls”

But one can not think “murder is a good thing and so is adultery”. Or “I think the Jesus is not the Son of God” …etc

(since you noted that your examples were the point I will leave them…but I will note that the Church did a great great deal for the Jews of that horrible period)