Friday, October 1, 2021

Richard R. Gaillardetz on Levels of Church Teaching and the Required Response from the Faithful in Roman Catholicism

The following table comes from Richard R. Gaillardetz, Teaching with Authority: A Theology of the Magisterium in the Church (Theology and Life Series 41; Collegeville, Min..: The Liturgical Press, 1997), 271:


LEVELS OF CHURCH TEACHING

RESPONSE TO THE FAITHFUL

Definitive Dogma

Assent of Faith

[The believer makes an act of faith, trusting that this teaching is revealed by God]

Definitive Doctrine

Firm Acceptance

[The believer “accepts and holds” these teachings to be true]

Nondefinitive, Authoritative Doctrine

Obsequium of Intellect and Will

[The believer strives to assimilate a teaching of the Church into their religious stance, while recognizing the remote possibility of Church error]

Prudential Admonitions and Provisional Applications of Church Doctrine

Conscientious Obedience

[The believer obeys (the spirit of) any Church law or disciplinary action that does not lead to sin, even when questioning the ultimate value or wisdom of the law or action]