Bishop's authority QUESTION from Gerry March 1, 2000
What is the Catholic perspective on the role of the laity in regard to the authority of their bishop? Does the role of the laity differ from that of the clergy? Thank you for your attention to this question. God bless.
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, O.L.S.M. on March 10, 2000 Dear Gerry:
Please excuse the long delay in answering your question.
The Laity are bound to obey the bishop in matters which pertain to the bishop's authority.
The diocesan clergy are more closely bound to obey the bishop as he is not just their pastor, but their boss.
I did a rather full treatment about obedience in another answer. It was to a question on Papal Decree's. Here is the URL to that answer: Narrative on Obedience Toward the bottom of that answer deals with obedience to bishops.
God Bless
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