Magisterium (from the Latin magister, "teacher") is a technical ecclesiastical term in Catholicism referring to the teaching ability and authority of the Pope and those Bishops who are united under his supervision. According to Catholic doctrine, the Magisterium is able to teach or interpret the truths of the Faith infallibly, although not all magisterial teaching is considered infallible.

"The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. , pt. 1, sect. 1, ch. 2, art. 2, III ).

Roman Catholic theologians divide the magisterium into the ordinary magisterium, which includes the vast majority of teachings by the popes, and the teachings of individual bishops and groups of bishops, when they are not gathered in an ecumenical council. The extraordinary magisterium includes the teachings of a pope when he is exercising his papal infallibility, and dogmatic teachings of an ecumenical council. Teachings made by the extraordinary magisterium, because they meet certain criteria, are considered to be infallible. See Infallibility of the Church for more details.

Magisterial teaching

A Catholic can disagree with a non-infallible teaching only on the basis of something infallible: Tradition, Scripture, or prior infallible teachings of the Magisterium. And he or she must have studied the matter, prayed about it, given serious respect to the Church's teaching, and then concluded in his or her conscience that this teaching is not correct. This cannot be delegated: therefore a Catholic is not permitted to dissent from a teaching just because someone else (such as a theologian) has concluded that it is wrong. The ordinary teachings are subject to reform or revision.

See also

• Sacred Tradition
• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Roman Curia