Theory and Organization of Roman Catholicism

Key source: F. W. Mattox, The Eternal Kingdom: A History of the Church of

Christ, Delight, Arkansas: Gospel Light Publishing Company, 1961.

Scripture and Traditions

• Because Jesus taught with infallible authority while on earth it was assumed church officials had the same authority.

• This supplied the hierarchy with authority to introduce traditions not found in Scripture and give them an equal place of prominence with Scripture itself.

Priests Handed Down Doctrines

• As the hierarchy, through synods and councils, reached conclusions on points of differences the priests were held responsible in conveying the doctrines to the common people.

• If the priesthood enjoyed the same prerogative Jesus had in teaching with authority, whatever the hierarchy handed down all Christians were under obligation to accept.

Bringing Western Europe Under the Domination of the Papacy

• Every citizen was considered a member of the church because Christianity had been made the state religion.

• Any who rejected the authorized doctrine was dealt with as a heretic.

• This brought the population of Western Europe under the domination of the papacy.

Study Eliminated

• Church members had no need to study the Bible because it was the priesthood’s responsibility to tell them what to do.

• The priests did not have to study because his instructions came from his superiors.

• So, worship consisted of ceremonialism apart from instruction.

Penance Gave the Priesthood Control Over Their Subjects

• When a person sinned, he could not take communion until he confessed to the priest.

• The sinner had to be required to do something to offset the increase of evil in the world with an increase of good.

• After this “satisfaction” was performed, the sinner went back to the priest and his sin was pronounced forgiven.

• Penance then consists of contrition, satisfaction and absolution.

Canon Law

• On the assumption that Christ left all His powers with the church, officials began to act upon their royal prerogative.

• Laws, called canon law, were created and the disobedient were punished, with heretics even being put to death.– Taken from Roman civil law– Taken from Scripture– Taken from decrees of councils– Taken from decrees of popes– Taken from Germanic law

Regular Clergy

• Roman Catholicism makes a sharp distinction between clergy and laity.

• Priests who took up monastic life were termed “regular” clergy.– From “regula” (Latin)—under rule– May be sent as missionaries, or special

teachers, or assigned to care for the sick or to minister to the poor.

– They are ordinarily recognized by special robes or insignia representing their order.

Secular Clergy

• Priests who lived and worked with people were called “secular” clergy.– They baptized babies.– They performed the ceremony of the mass.– They heard confessions.– They performed marriages.– They buried the dead.

• These priests were limited in their services by what is called “powers of orders” and “powers of jurisdiction.”

Powers of Orders

• To become a priest, a young man had to work his way up through the minor orders.– Janitor – kept the church roll and knew the

members– Reader – read Scripture in services– Exorcist – held water while a priest sprinkled

babies– Acolyte – handles vessels and assists in the

mass– Sub-deacon – just prior to ordination

Powers of Orders

• Then, he had work his way through the major orders.– Deacon – works with an experienced priest– Priest – can administer five sacraments– Bishop – can administer all seven sacraments– Archbishop– Cardinal– Pope

Powers of Jurisdiction• This refers to the size of geographical

territory over which a priest is authorized to serve.– Parish priest – teaches people, administers five

sacraments, mediates grace and imposes punishment on the disobedient

– Rural dean – checks on seven to twelve parish priests, sees that their work is done properly and the financial records are in order

– Vicar General – special migratory agents to check on the Rural Deans or Parish priests, personal representatives of the bishop, can hold court and judge church officials

Powers of Jurisdiction - Bishop

• Bishop – highest ranking official in a diocese– Supposed to visit each parish once a year and

confirm the young people prepared by the local priest

– Confirmation and ordination can only be administered by the bishop

– Holds court for those who have appealed decisions of the Vicar General

– Superintendent of education– Supposed to maintain institution for training

priests

Powers of Jurisdiction – Archbishop

• Archbishop – added responsibility of checking on twelve other bishops– Large staff of assistants– Selected by the pope– Pendant around neck made of wool taken

from pope’s own sheep shows special authority

– Territory may be as large as entire nation

Papal Legate and Pope

• Papal Legate– To check on Archbishops or any official under

them– Selected by pope to serve as his personal

representative

• Pope – an elective monarch who rules by divine right and is an autocrat– Leo I (440-461) was first to set forth Papal claims

on the basis of Scripture (Mt. 16:16-19; Luke 22:32; John 21:15-19 sheep = clergy and lambs = laity)

Cardinals

• The Pope relied upon the advice and support of other bishops in the vicinity of Rome

• They were formed into advisory cabinet

• They were looked upon as “hinge” men and given the name “Cardinal,” from Latin word “cardo” which means hinge

• At first, there were seven Cardinals.

Cardinals

• Later the number was increased as it became somewhat honorary

• In theory, there were 70 ranked in 3 levels (50 Cardinal Priests, 14 Cardinal Deacons and 6 Cardinal Bishops) with their chief function being to elect a new pope

• The voting is done behind closed doors (in “conclave” which means “under the key”) and continues until a majority is reached

Bureaucratic Organization

• There is an extensive bureaucratic organization with which the Pope must deal

• Called the “curia” and includes all the administrative and business affairs necessary to take care of such an extensive operation