Study Guide: The Magisterium

The magisterium refers to the authority of the Church to interpret, safeguard, and apply the truths revealed through Sacred Scripture and Tradition to the Catholic community. The term itself translates to mean “teaching office.” The role of the magisterium is to guide the faithful members of the Church and protect God’s revelation. There are two distinct types: ordinary magisterium and extraordinary magisterium.

The ordinary magisterium is the cumulation of teachings that originate from the everyday life of the Church when carried out faithfully by the pope and bishops. Homilies, encyclicals, pastoral letters, and doctrinal statements are all included in the ordinary magisterium. These teachings are the consistent and constant beliefs of the Church universally and are considered infallible.

There are two ways in which the extraordinary magisterium is carried out: ex cathedra papal pronouncements and Ecumenical Councils. A pope may speak ex cathedra to formally define a dogma as true revelation from God. This declaration is made supremely from the throne of Peter, free from error. In 1854, Pope Pius IX spoke ex cathedra as he announced that the Virgin Mary was free from original sin from the moment of her conception. Another instance was when Pope Pius XII formally defined the Assumption of Mary in 1950.

The second way in which the extraordinary magisterium may exert its authority is through Ecumenical Councils. This is when the pope gathers the bishops to discuss, debate, and discern a doctrine together. They collaborate on the issue until a clear teaching may be produced to the faithful. The earliest example of this type of intentional, group deliberation in the history of the Church can be found in Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council. Since then, 21 official Ecumenical Councils have taken place. The First Council of Nicaea in 325, affirmed the divinity of Christ against Arianism and formulated the Nicene Creed and the most recent council, Vatican II, was completed in 1965.

Whether a teaching is brought forth through an ex cathedra pronouncement or a council, that doctrine must be considered infallible and accepted by all members of the Church.

What is the magisterium, and what is its primary role in the Catholic Church?

What is the difference between the ordinary magisterium and the extraordinary magisterium? Can you give at least one example of each?