Can Catholics Criticize the Pope?

Summary

The video discusses how faithful Catholics can express concerns about the Catholic Church constructively. It references the document 'Donum Veritatis', which provides guidelines for theologians to address issues with Church teachings respectfully and privately to the magisterium. The video emphasizes the importance of an evangelical spirit, a desire to resolve difficulties, and avoiding public criticism. It suggests that if, after serious study, a theologian still cannot agree with a non-infallible teaching, they should remain open to further examination and potentially suffer in silence, trusting the Church to resolve the issue.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Catholic Church provides guidelines on how to express concerns constructively, as outlined in the document 'Donum Veritatis'.
• 🤔 Theologians have a duty to bring up issues with teachings to the magisterium if they persist despite loyal efforts.
• 🙏 The approach should be Evangelical, with a desire to resolve difficulties rather than to shame or criticize.
• 🚫 Avoid using mass media to voice concerns; instead, address issues to the responsible authorities directly.
• 📚 Theologians should undertake serious study and try to understand and assent to teachings even if they find it difficult.
• 🤝 Constructive criticism can help the magisterium clarify and refine its teachings.
• 😔 In cases where a theologian cannot agree with a non-infallible teaching, they should remain open to further examination.
• 🙇‍♂️ Theologians may sometimes have to suffer in silence and pray if they cannot assent to a teaching after much study.
• 👥 These principles apply even more to the average Catholic, who should be measured and respectful in their criticisms.
• 🌟 Once concerns are respectfully raised, trust in God and allow the truth to prevail.

Q & A

What is the main concern addressed in the video script?

The main concern addressed is how faithful Catholics should express their concerns about the state of affairs in the Catholic Church in a constructive way without causing further problems.

What document does the video script reference for guidelines on expressing concerns?

The video script references the document 'Donum Veritatis' by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for guidelines on expressing concerns.

Who is the intended audience of the 'Donum Veritatis' document?

The 'Donum Veritatis' document is directed specifically at Catholic theologians, but the video script suggests that its principles can apply to non-theologians as well.

What is the duty of a theologian when they have difficulties with a teaching, according to the script?

If a theologian has difficulties with a non-definitive teaching, they have a duty to make known to the magisterial authorities the problems they have identified.

How should a theologian approach the magisterium with their concerns?

A theologian should approach the magisterium with their concerns in an evangelical spirit and with a profound desire to resolve difficulties, not to shame or put down others.

What does the script suggest about using mass media to express theological concerns?

The script suggests that theologians should avoid turning to mass media to express their concerns and instead have recourse to the responsible authority.

What should a theologian do if they find arguments to the contrary of a non-definitive teaching more persuasive?

If a theologian finds arguments to the contrary more persuasive, they should earnestly and sincerely study and try to understand the teaching, and remain open to a deeper examination of the question.

In what situations might a theologian have to suffer in silence according to the script?

A theologian might have to suffer in silence when they cannot assent to a non-infallible teaching, even after serious study, and they should take it to prayer and trust that the truth will prevail.

How should the average Catholic approach expressing concerns about the Church, as suggested by the script?

The average Catholic should be measured, respectful, and motivated by a desire to build up the Church rather than to destroy it when expressing concerns.

What is the final step a Catholic should take after expressing their concerns, according to the script?

After expressing their concerns respectfully, Catholics should leave the matter in God's hands, trust that the truth will prevail, and suffer in silence if necessary.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Navigating Criticism in the Catholic Church

This paragraph discusses the appropriate way for faithful Catholics to express concerns about the state of affairs within the Catholic Church. It emphasizes the importance of constructive criticism rather than destructive criticism. The document 'Donum Veritatis' by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is referenced as a guide for theologians, but the principles are suggested to be applicable to non-theologians as well. The magisterium advises theologians to bring their concerns directly to the authorities in an evangelical spirit, with the aim of resolving difficulties and contributing to the church's progress. The paragraph also cautions against using mass media to exert public pressure, which is seen as an inappropriate approach to doctrinal issues.

05:00

🙏 The Theologian's Duty in the Face of Difficulties

The second paragraph continues the discussion on how to handle theological difficulties, particularly for theologians. It outlines that even after sincere study and attempts to understand and assent to non-infallible teachings, if a theologian still finds it difficult to agree, they should remain open to further examination. The paragraph suggests that in such cases, theologians might have to suffer in silence and trust that the truth will prevail. It also extends this principle to the average Catholic, emphasizing the need for measured, respectful criticism aimed at building up the church rather than tearing it down. The importance of trust in God's plan and the eventual triumph of truth is highlighted, encouraging a silent, prayerful approach when concerns are not yet addressed by the magisterium.

Keywords

💡Magisterium

The Magisterium refers to the teaching authority of the Catholic Church, which includes the Pope and bishops in communion with him. It is responsible for preserving and authentically interpreting the faith. In the video, the Magisterium is discussed as the body to which theologians should address their concerns and difficulties with Church teachings, rather than resorting to public criticism.

💡Constructive Criticism

Constructive criticism is a form of feedback that is intended to improve a situation or resolve issues in a positive manner. The video emphasizes the importance of offering constructive criticism within the Church, suggesting that criticism should be aimed at building up the Church rather than tearing it down.

💡Destructive Criticism

Destructive criticism is criticism that is harmful or damaging, often characterized by a negative intent to undermine or discredit. The video warns against destructive criticism, highlighting that it can exacerbate problems within the Church instead of resolving them.

💡Jonon Veritatis

Jonon Veritatis is a document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that provides guidelines for Catholic theologians on how to approach and express concerns about Church teachings. The video uses this document to illustrate the proper way to voice concerns within the Church.

💡Evangelical Spirit

An evangelical spirit is characterized by a deep desire to share and promote the Gospel message out of love for others. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe the appropriate attitude theologians should have when bringing concerns to the Magisterium, with the aim of resolving difficulties and building up the Church.

💡Mass Media

Mass media refers to various forms of media that reach a large audience, such as television, newspapers, and social media. The video advises against using mass media to voice concerns about the Church, as it can lead to public pressure and sensationalism rather than constructive dialogue.

💡Non-Definitive Teachings

Non-definitive teachings are those that are not infallible and are open to discussion and interpretation. The video explains that theologians have a duty to express concerns about non-definitive teachings to the Magisterium if they encounter difficulties in understanding or accepting them.

💡Theologian

A theologian is a person who studies and teaches about religious faith, practices, and experience, particularly within the context of Christianity. In the video, the role of the theologian is discussed in terms of their responsibility to engage with the Magisterium and to approach Church teachings with an open and critical mind.

💡Truth

Truth, in the context of the video, refers to the ultimate reality and the teachings of the Catholic Church. The video suggests that even when faced with difficulties in accepting certain teachings, theologians should trust that the truth will prevail and that their role is to seek and uphold this truth.

💡Suffering in Silence

Suffering in silence implies enduring difficulties or challenges without drawing attention to them. The video mentions that in some cases, theologians might have to suffer in silence if they cannot assent to a non-infallible teaching, trusting that the Church will ultimately resolve the issue.

💡Respectful Dialogue

Respectful dialogue is a form of communication that is characterized by courtesy, consideration, and a genuine desire to understand the other's perspective. The video emphasizes the importance of engaging in respectful dialogue when discussing concerns about Church teachings, especially within public forums.

Highlights

Expressing concerns about the Catholic Church in a constructive way is crucial for faithful Catholics.

The document 'Donum Veritatis' provides guidelines for Catholic theologians on how to address issues within the Church.

Theologians have a duty to bring up problems with non-definitive teachings to the magisterium.

The approach should be in an Evangelical spirit with a desire to resolve difficulties.

Constructive criticism can help the magisterium clarify and refine its teachings.

Theologians should avoid using mass media to criticize the Church and instead address concerns to responsible authorities.

Public opinion should not be used to exert pressure on doctrinal issues.

Theologians must undertake serious study and try to understand and assent to teachings, even if they initially find them difficult.

If after study a theologian still cannot assent to a non-infallible teaching, they should remain open to further examination.

In rare cases, theologians might have to suffer in silence and trust that the Church will resolve doctrinal issues.

The average Catholic should follow the same principles of respectful and constructive criticism as theologians.

Criticism should be measured, respectful, and motivated by a desire to build up the Church rather than tear it down.

After expressing concerns, Catholics should trust in God and potentially suffer in silence until the magisterium addresses the issue.

The principles outlined apply more to the average Catholic on social media than to theologians.

The video encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel for more content on reason and theology.

A course on understanding the magisterium is available at maximusinstitute.com for those interested in learning more.

Transcripts

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[Music]

how should we express some of our

concerns about the State of Affairs in

the Catholic church as faithful

Catholics

it's a great question and especially in

light of the fact that there are many

problems in the church there's a lot to

criticize but how can we do so in a

constructive way

rather than in a destructive way that

ends up adding to the problems in the

church rather than resolving them well

the magisterium has actually given us

some guidelines here and you can find

them summarized in the document jonon

veritatus by the congregation for the

doctrine of the faith

this is a document that is directed

specifically at Catholic theologians but

there are a lot of principles that I

would say apply to even non-theologians

so let's take a look at them and by the

way I just want to remind you make sure

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enjoy from reason and theology the

magisterium says if despite a loyal

effort on the theologians part

the difficulties persist that is the

difficulties and concerns that they have

the Theologian has the duty to make

known to the magisterial authorities the

problems raised by the teaching in

itself

in the arguments proposed to justify it

or even in the manner in which it is

presented

so if the Theologian is noticing

problems with a non-definitive teaching

in the way it's expressed

with the proposition itself

in the manner in which it's presented he

has a duty to bring this up to the

magisterium

he should do this in an Evangelical

spirit

and with a profound desire to resolve

the difficulties

so the motivation here is not to shame

the magisterium it's not to shame others

it's not to put down people

but rather it's to build them up and

resolve difficulties

his objections could then contribute to

real progress and provide a stimulus to

the magisterium to propose the teachings

of the church in Greater depth

and with a clearer presentation of the

arguments

so if this is done in a constructive way

it could actually assist the magisterium

in clarifying itself and fine-tuning and

sharpening the way in which it presents

the faith in cases like these the

Theologian should avoid turning to the

mass media

Now isn't this a problem that we see

today

constantly people are rushing to social

media and mass media

to shame the church to call out the Pope

to shame an ecumenical council

but the magisterium says that is not the

appropriate approach

the Theologian should avoid turning to

mass media

but have recourse to the responsible

Authority

for it is not by seeking to exert the

pressure of public opinion that one

contributes to the clarification of

doctrinal issues and renders servant to

the truth

it can also happen that at the

conclusion of a serious study undertaken

with the desire to heed the

magisterium's teaching without

hesitation

the theologian's difficulty remains

because the arguments to the contrary

seem more persuasive to them but notice

this

what it's saying is there might be a

situation where a theologian is having

difficulty assenting to a non-definitive

that is not infallible theological

proposition

the document notes that they should

earnestly and sincerely

study and undertake the task of trying

to understand the teaching

and try to assent to it

without hesitation

but even after that process if

difficulties remain and the Theologian

after much study

finds it more persuasive that the

contrary is true

well what are they to do

the magisterium says faced with a

proposition to which he feels he cannot

give his intellectual ascent

the Theologian nevertheless has the duty

to remain open to a deeper examination

of the question

so the Theologian is not to be shut off

from accepting

the teaching

but is to remain open to examining and

assenting to the teaching for a loyal

Spirit animated by love for the church

such a situation can certainly prove a

difficult trial

it could be a call to suffer for the

truth in silence and prayer

but with the certainty that if the truth

really is at stake

it will ultimately Prevail in rare

situations where a theologian

cannot Ascend to a non-inflallible

teaching

they might have to suffer in silence

they might have to just take it to

prayer

and trust that ultimately the church is

going to resolve this situation and

truth will prevail

yes they have a duty to raise concerns

in a charitable and respectful way but

until that is addressed until the

situation is addressed by the

magisterium one might then have the duty

to suffer in silence rather than

resorting to mass media

now if this is true of a theologian

highly trained and qualified in sacred

theology

how much more true is this for the

average person who might not be an

expert in theology who might not be an

expert in the magisterium how much more

is this true for them

how much more are these guiding

principles for the average user on

social media

certainly it applies to the average

Catholic much more than it does to the

theologian

for that reason we should be measured in

our criticisms of the Pope

of councils of the magisterium we should

be measured

moreover we should also be respectful

and it should be done out of a

motivation for the building up of the

body not to destroy it not to tear it

down it should not be deconstructive in

nature rather it should be constructive

criticism

and once that's expressed we leave it

into the hands of God once we've made

known respectfully our concerns we trust

God

and we suffer in silence and we trust

that the truth will prevail

I hope you've enjoyed this if so hit the

like button and especially the Subscribe

button we'll see you later God bless are

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