Diocesan Summary of Listening Session Input

Bishop Lucia’s Pentecost Letter

Dear parish family,
A unique understanding of our Catholic Faith is the office of the papacy. The Pope is the head of our Church; the office of the papacy enjoys universal magisterium (teaching authority) and universal jurisdiction (governing authority). As early as 90 AD, St. Iraneus when writing about the Bishop of Rome, one of the many titles for the Pope wrote that he is: Primus Inter Paris; that is “first among equals.” Among the many titles of the office of the Pope are: Bishop of Rome, Patriarch of the West, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Successor of St. Peter, Vicar of Christ on Earth and the Servant of the servants of God. In addition to being a spiritual leader, the Pope is the head of Vatican City, an independent political entity within the city of Rome. (You can see the Papal flag in the front right of our Church). One unique charism of the office of the Papacy is “Infallibility”; the phrase; “When Rome speaks, the case is closed” refers to this charism. Infallibility, as defined by the First Vatican Council is the understanding that in matters of faith and morals, the Pope is incapable of error. The conditions necessary for a teaching to be infallible are: 1) it must be about faith and /or morals; 2) it must be clear that the Holy Father is exercising the authority of His office (ex cathedra); and the teaching must be made public. If these conditions are met; we Catholics are bound to accept the infallible truth that the Pope has taught. The Pope can teach infallibly on His own; he does not need to consult with or get the majority approval of any other church office.

God Bless, Fr. Dan