- Catholics recognize the papacy as the legal authority under whose governance their religion is to be lived.
- The way this authority is exercised has varied in clarity and intensity over time. Papal jurisdiction has remained steady - clearly defined since 1870 and formally codified since 1917.
- The Pope is also a teacher of doctrine. However, not all of the popes' teachings endure or are even remembered.
- For a period beginning in the nineteenth century, papal teaching seemed to become the defining role of modern popes.
- Theologians have never agreed on a definitive list of which papal doctrinal pronouncements are infallible - not even immediately after the definition of infallibility in 1870.
- Historically, many popes spoke only to local Roman audiences.
- Earlier papal teaching focused on condemning errors.
- Today’s papal teaching is far more verbose. Instead of brief condemnations, we now have increasingly lengthy texts, such as encyclicals, apostolic constitutions, and exhortations.
- Consider the rambling ambiguity of Amoris Laetitia, which is 256 pages long. What exactly are we being taught? What are we specifically obligated to believe?
- It is not only the authority that is obscure, but also the basic content. And that seems intentional. We're expected to follow a vague program that deliberately avoids intellectual clarity.
- With today's officeholders, the magisterium, or teaching office, is becoming less functional.
- Many of the faithful have stopped listening to the novelties. The main audience appears to be religious journalists.
- Could Amoris Laetitia ever plausibly correct Trent or serve as its authoritative interpretation? Trust is dwindling.
- Every papal statement must be tested: What did the Council of Trent teach? What does Ludwig Ott’s Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma say on the matter?
- Forget about Francis's the teacher, consider Francis the lawgiver.
- His legal authority shaped the daily lives of Catholics more than his doctrine ever did. His decrees governed the liturgy, determined which rites were permitted, and decided who would be bishop—and for how long.
- The juridical authority far exceeded any doctrinal consensus.
- Amid the public drama of Francis’s funeral and the conclave that elected Leo XIV, one central fact remains: One sovereign ecclesial legislator is being buried, and another has been elected to take his place.
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