ASK FR BITAJU | KAIROS GLOBAL | MARCH 2021

Author: Fr. Bitaju

Q37. The Church has a hierarchy and many decisions are taken at different levels. For the youth, some of these decisions may not seem correct and we may need to argue with higher-ups to get an understandable answer. Is it right to do so?

Your question seems to probe the importance of obedience to those in authority yet the necessity of seeking clarification when confused. I shall respond to your question by explaining what is meant by ‘obedience in the Church’ and the Church’s view on ‘questioning or expressing disagreements.’

Obedience is fulfilling the orders of one's lawful superiors with the intention of carrying out their will. Catholics especially prize obedience, because of Christ's own example, and because in their lawful superiors they see the representatives of Christ himself (Romans 13:1; Luke 2:51 and Philippians 2:8). 

It is the teaching of the Church that obedience is part of justice (Romans 13:7), one of the four cardinal virtues, which are in turn subordinate to the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity.  Faith is greater than obedience! Therefore, a Catholic has a duty not to obey his superior, if obedience acts to harm the faith.  However, we must obey prelates, even when we know them to be corrupt or ill-informed, or just plain wrong, as long as they are not asking or demanding us to be corrupt or just plain wrong and remain within the bounds of their legitimate authority. ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do … (Matthew 23:3). 

Questions are to understanding, as chewing is to eating; we don’t eat a piece of steak without chewing it first, right?. Often, many youth feel it is ‘wrong’ to ask questions about certain truths, teachings or even decisions of the Church or those in authority, thinking that they will be misunderstood to be on the verge of abandoning the said truth, teaching or decisions.  It is important to keep in mind that no one has grown in any understanding without asking relevant questions. 

If you have questions about, or objections to, certain teachings of the Church, or decisions of your superiors (those in hierarchy), one of the best ways to tackle the issue would be to seek guidance from a pastor, confessor, or spiritual mentor who can help discern if you correctly understand the teaching of the Church, and how your questions or objections impact your relationship to your community of faith.  

It is relevant to note the view of the Church disclosed through Pope Francis on ‘why disagreement in the Church is a good sign’.  He said, ‘what defines a good leader is the ability to foster an environment in which differences are open rather than concealed, and in which people feel free to speak rather than being silenced.’  He further said, ‘two clear qualities are needed for this: courage to speak and humility to listen.’

YOUCAT 347 

Why is ‘not practicing what you preach’ such a serious deficiency in a Christian? 

Agreement between one’s life and one’s witness is the first requirement for proclaiming the Gospel. Not practicing what you profess is therefore hypocrisy, a betrayal of the Christian duty to be ‘salt of the earth’ and ‘light of the world’. [2044-2046] 

Paul was the one who reminded the Church in Corinth: You show that you are a letter from Christ

written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3). Christians themselves, not the things they say, are Christ’s letters of recommendation (2 Corinthians 3:2) to the world. It is all the more devastating, therefore, when there are even priests and religious who abuse children. They not only commit unspeakable crimes against their victims. They deprive many people of hope in God and extinguish the light of faith in quite a few souls.