In Roman Catholicism, what is the order of authority?
Order the following in precedence of "authority" on any given religious topic (such as baptism, Eucharist, marriage, fasting, prayer, confession, etc.) from highest authority to lowest.
A - Bible (passages or teachings found in the Bible)
B - Writings of the Fathers (these are often cited for establishing teachings).
C - The creeds
D - The catechism
E - The ecumenical councils
F - The teaching of the past Popes
G - The teaching of the current Pope
H - Local Priesthood authority (archbishop, bishop, priest)
Thanks. I have often wondered about this and would like to know. Please, no answers that are rants against Catholicism or mindless copied quotations from scripture.
I provided the list with no order of authority intended. What I'm looking for is the Catholic view on which authority is over the others. I am _not_ looking for any scriptures, since they would be circular to the question (as they are in the list). I want the _Catholic_ response, not a Protestant or non-Catholic response.
To the person who mentioned that some of those items in the list are sacraments, my reaction is huh? with a puzzled look in my eyes.
I provided the list with no order of authority intended. What I'm looking for is the Catholic view on which authority is over the others. I am _not_ looking for any scriptures, since they would be circular to the question (as they are in the list). I want the _Catholic_ response, not a Protestant or non-Catholic response.
To the person who mentioned that some of those items in the list are sacraments, my reaction is huh? with a puzzled look in my eyes.
Sorry for the dupe add -- Yahoo has the hiccups.
Thanks to those who provided the response regarding the Canon Law. I'll be asking more questions on what these are and how they were established as the "bottom line" authority in the Catholic church.
Catholics are governed by Canon Laws, the ecclesiastical law of the Catholic Church, It is a fully developed legal system, with all the necessary elements: courts, lawyers, judges, a fully articulated legal code and principles of legal interpretation. But sadly 95% of catholics aren't aware these exist. The Horace of the church is Pope, Cardinals(higher bishops), Arch Bishops, Bishop and Priest.
In your "order of authority" You place "The Bible" at the top do you not? And then you want to hear no answers which are copied quotations from scripture. OK
Where would you insert the authority of The Lord Jesus Christ?
1. God.
2. God's Revelation through Holy Scripture and Holy Apostolic Tradition.
The writings of the Church Fathers, the creeds, the Catechism, the ecumenical councils, the teachings of the Popes, and local authorities (archbishop, bishop, priest) are just interpretations of 2.