An Apologetical Explanation of the

Magisterium

What is the Magisterium of the Church?

Jesus came and said to [to the eleven disciples], “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”  (Mt 28:18-20)

Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.  (2 Tim 1:13-14)

The Magisterium is the official teaching authority of the Church, constituted by the Pope and the bishops in union with him.  Its authority comes from Christ, and its guidance comes from the Holy Spirit.

Many of the teachings found in Sacred Scripture can be difficult to understand.  Different people—even well-educated people—can and do interpret the same passage of Scripture in very different ways.  When questions regarding the teachings of Christ arose in the first years following his Ascension, the early Christians naturally turned to the Apostles for guidance.  We see this very clearly when a question arose about the necessity of following the Law of Moses; the Apostles gathered in council to ensure one, uniform answer to the question (cf. Acts 15).  They had received not only the Deposit of Faith but also Christ’s authority in the leadership of the Church, including the authority to teach.  The teaching authority of the Church, or Magisterium, is intimately associated with the Deposit of Faith.  (Cf. CCC 95, 2049)

Although the Magisterium is charged with interpreting and applying Scripture and Tradition, it is not superior to the Deposit of Faith but rather its servant.  It can neither add to nor subtract from the Deposit of Faith; instead, it serves as its guardian, preserving and communicating these truths to every generation of believers for all time under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  (Cf. CCC 86)

The teaching authority of the Church comes from Christ himself, who extended this authority to St. Peter and the Apostles; they, in turn, have passed it down through Apostolic Succession to the Popes and bishops of every age.  The Holy Spirit guarantees that the Magisterium will always teach the truth infallibly on matters of faith and morals.  (Cf. CCC 2032-2033, 2051)

The Catechism addresses this question in paragraphs 100 and 2033.

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