If the Teaching Authority has made so many mistakes in the past,
how will we ever trust it again!?”
“You are right!
The teaching authority has an
important function in the Church. It is like a food and health commission
entrusted with the task to watch over public safety.
It is not good for
the Church that the teaching authority has lost, and is still losing, so much
of its credibility.
“To restore its credibility the Vatican should immediately
stop unhelpful practices such as these:
Blocking the free and constructive deliberation of the Synod
of Bishops. The Synod of Bishops was set up by the Second Vatican
Council to counterbalance the influence of the Curia.
Interfering in the legitimate exercise of authority by
bishops’ conferences. The bishops are not vicars of the pope, but
vicars of Christ who rule their dioceses in their own right.
Appointing only like-minded candidates to episcopal sees,
central offices, the international theological commission, etc. It puts
a b-category of submissive yes-men into church leadership.
The suppression of theologians who dare to contradict
official views. This is bound to impoverish honest and creative thinking
in the Church.”
