Most problems within the Church can be traced to a lack of proper knowledge and acceptance of the correct hierarchy of authority regarding both doctrine and leadership. The following commentary is directed primarily towards the Roman Catholic Church. However, in as much as other Christian faiths acknowledge Holy Scripture as their ultimate authority in matters of faith and morals, much of this commentary will also be applicable to non-Catholic Christians. Indeed the proper recognition of a pattern of authority is necessary for all religious beliefs and governmental systems. Ultimately, the disagreements between men and women of faith on matters of faith and morals are directly attributable to a disagreement on the hierarchy of authority.

        In order to achieve oneness with God, and with each other, we must develop a proper understanding of authority. With that understanding established, we have a framework with which to properly inform our consciences and thereby resolve disagreements. Moreover, with a proper understanding of the hierarchy of authority, we have a sound structure for discipline within the Church and for resolving those matters of practice which are not in accord with proper teachings on faith and morals.

        The following is a brief schematic of the levels of authority to be followed in developing an informed conscience with [a.)] being at the highest level:

*         *         *

a.)   The expressed will of God as stated in or approved by "infallible" papal documents and those given direct authentication by papal authority. Such teachings must be universal in nature. Documents which are probably to be included at this level are:

1. Sacred Scripture as officially enumerated by the Council of Trent. The Old Testament books were accepted by Christ and then by His followers until the period of the Reformation when some books and sections of books, that had been written by jews in the Greek language, were dropped by the new Protestants (protesters against Catholicism). The New Testament books have, with few exceptions (notably in different versions of the King James bible), generally been accepted by all Christians from the late 4th century to the present. (Qualifications and limitations concerning correct interpretation and understanding of Scripture needs separate explanation.)

2. Ecumenical councils which were truly universal in nature and authenticated by a successor of Peter. (Possibly to be excluded, in whole or in part because of internally stated intentions, is Vatican Council II.)

3. Other universally directed and authenticated papal teachings on matters of faith and morals. Papal stated intention when internally available is of great value.

NOTE: The whole area of direction, subject matter, and authentication is expected to require extensive development with the setting of parameters for proper understanding of various teachings. The phrase, "From the Chair of Peter," means that one with the authority of Peter has certified a teaching and made it doctrine of the Church. A "dogma" is a doctrine concerning faith or morals which has been proclaimed with special acclamation. All non-disciplinary doctrines are infallible and as such are non-diminishable and irreversible.

The following are considered as basic standards which need
to be met for a document to be understood as infallible:

I.   Internally stated intention of the pope or as determined through content analysis.

II.  Have papal signature (perhaps the certifiable equivalent) and be publicly promulgated.
      ( The pope must have his full mental faculties and be free of coercion.)

III. Must be directed universally or the moral equivalent.

IV. Must cover matters of faith and morals.

COMMENT 1:  The above should be considered an incomplete listing of levels of teachings and of levels of authority within the Church and society.

COMMENT 2:  Disciplinary teachings or directives which are not also a matter of faith and morals are subject to modification and even to reversal. NOTE: They are mandatory while in effect.

COMMENT 3:  It should be noted that in the early Christian Church there was a period of time when papal authority was completely dominant. The personal decisions of a pope during his reign were binding unless they directly contradicted a clear understanding of Scripture then in existence. The Scriptures referred to would be what is now called the Old Testament. Authenticated or commonly accepted apostolic writings would also have been binding. Essentially, however, for the first 300 plus years of the Church the pope was the final authority on matters of faith and morals. He is still the final authority – when teaching according to establish standards – in regard to interpretation of unclear passages of the Bible and other doctrines of the Church.

COMMENT 4:  The key to unity as desired by God, particularly expressed by Jesus and recorded in the Gospel of St. John, is through real membership in the main body of the Church which equates with the body of Christ. The schematic as presented is intended to help many to remain in or return to the central Church, to be one as Jesus and the Father are one. They are fully united through the harmony of truth. Error divides. Truth brings unity with God. God is truth.

John 8:32 ... the truth will set you free."

John 14:6 ... "I am the way and the truth and the life.

John 15:26 "When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.

John 17:17 Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.

John 18:37 ... Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

1 John 5:6 ... The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth.

COMMENT 5:  It should be understood that personal directives of the pope, local bishop, parish priest, etc. should not be obeyed if they are in opposition to higher levels of teachings and just authorities. Reasonable proof of one's position must be made available when requested. A higher level of authority must also be able to prove its position when asked to do so. NOTE: Time need not be spent upon individuals who repeatedly fail to offer sound reasoning or proof of their position. (If it is believed that an injustice has taken place in regard to a person not able to make personal defense, then one qualified to do so may make complaint on behalf of the other person if he believes he has sufficient evidence to do so.)

COMMENT 6:  For a modicum of discipline to exist and an orderly society to be maintained, each person should be reasonably subject to the next higher level of authority according to normal limitations. This includes all directives which are reasonable. As one gains knowledge of progressively higher levels of teachings there is less likelihood of wrongly following erroneous teachings of lower level authorities.

COMMENT 7:  If a person at any level believes that a higher authority is in error he must reasonably observe the following schematic to find truth:

a.  Seek teachings or directives from a yet higher level which are in opposition to the directive given.

b.  He must make a presentation to the authority he believes to be in error and give that authority reasonable time to respond. Normally two calendar weeks in the hands of that authority, allowing normal mail delivery times if that is the method used, should be sufficient for initial response from the authority or person authorized to acknowledge receipt of correspondence.

c.  If no response is forthcoming then a certifiable witness must be used to establish presentation.

d.  If still no response is forth coming, or the response is insufficient to demonstrate your error, you must then appeal to yet higher authority. Approximately four working weeks must normally be allowed at this level.

f.  If disagreement ensues or no determination made is satisfactory then a formal open hearing may be held according to mutual agreement. If there is no mutual agreement, then a meeting must be held which is open to the general public and to the press, etc.

g.  If disagreement is still unresolved, formal appeal to the Vatican may be made. Again, at this level, public hearings must be held if either of the conflicting parties so requests. NOTE: Officials at higher levels must make needed information and help available to those at lower levels.

h.  When the above process has been followed and it becomes clear that high levels of authority are in the hands of Satan, then one may act as is necessary for the common good of the faithful according to the requirements of faith and morals, while maintaining unity with the main body of the Church. Everyone should keep in mind that a direct positive relationship with God must be maintained at all times. Everyone, according to their capacity, has a moral obligation to learn God's will. Following the directives of an intervening authority are not excusable when one has sure knowledge of God's will. It should be clearly understood that not only family members and civil officials are candidates for Hell, but also priests, bishops, and even popes are persons who can be eternally damned.

        The above is the general format I use in making determinations concerning my personal relationship with God. Each individual's relationship with God should be one's primary concern in this life. A person's strongest desire and motivation should be toward eternal life.

This schematic is offered as a stimulator for further discussions.
        I believe a proper understanding of levels of authority to be the key which will resolve most of the problems within the Church. I theorize that authenticated correct levels of authority will become a prime instrument for uniting all Christians and will bring new direction to evangelization. It must always be understood that one must look to the highest level to which one has knowledge and has the capacity to work with. We must all use the gifts we have been given by God. Those with the greater gifts, who fail to properly use them, commit the greater sin.

        It should be noted that even relatively orthodox organizations, such as Catholics United for the Faith, do not follow a proper hierarchical system when evaluating questions concerning teachings of the Church. It is not uncommon for even loyal members of the Church to assign authority to lower level Church teachings which belongs only to higher level teachings. They thereby give them greater recognition than is proper and cause justice to be perverted.

        All levels of teaching below the infallible level should be understood to be levels of opinion. Even though they have a high level of authority, they should be understood to be opinion which could, at least in part, be in error. One may not on their own initiative assume any teaching to be in error. One must able to demonstrate, by recourse to a higher level teaching, that an error truly exists. The error must be in clear conflict with a higher level teaching, or, such error must be demonstrated from irrefutable reasoning before one may disregard the authority existing at even the lowest of levels. It should be kept in mind that truly sound reasoning is from God.

        If the aforementioned ranking of teachings is put into practice then problems concerning faith and morals would more readily be put into proper perspective.