Magisterium - All About All

Magisterium

Magisterium (from the Latin magister: 'master') is a technical ecclesiastical term in Catholicism referring to the Pope and those Bishops who are directly under his supervision. According to Catholic doctrine and dogma, the Magisterium is the only (earthly) authority qualified to teach or interpret the truths of the Faith infallibly.

"The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. [1997], pt. 1, sect. 1, ch. 2, art. 2, III [#100]).

Magisterium can refer to either the ordinary magisterium, which is the consensus of the Faith which has been consistently taught and believed throughout the Church's two-thousand year history. In contrast to this, the extraordinary magisterium lies with the Pope and the bishops assembled in an Ecumenical Council or by the Pope issuing dogmatic definitions ex cathedra. Documents issued by the extraordinary magisterium, formally or solemnly ratifying the ordinary magisterium, are considered infallible in themselves.

See also

• Sacred Tradition
• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Roman Curia

External links

• Tradition and Living Magisterium Article on the Old Catholic Encyclopedia (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15006b.htm)
• Truth in the Magisterium - Pope John Paul II (http://www.cin.org/jp2ency/conviva.html)