January 22, 2013      Martin Mallon  (Ireland)      Martin's previous articles

        The Disconnect between the People of God and the Hierarchy

There is a growing disconnect between church teaching and institutional church teaching. Let us look at Humanae Vitae (HV), as an example. Promulgated in 1968, it has never been accepted by the People of God, the church. Yet the hierarchy continue to proclaim HV as church teaching.  

The People of God are the church, as proclaimed by the Vatican II document Lumen Gentium. Hence, if the People of God do not accept a teaching from Rome it is not church teaching. Church teaching is what is lived by the People of God in their daily practice.  

The Arian crisis in the fourth century is a famous example of such a situation. The Arians believed Jesus was a being less than God and for a number of years the majority of bishops, including Pope Liberius, taught this. However, the majority of the laity and many priests, led by St Athanasius, a bishop, and a few other bishops, refused to accept this teaching. Athanasius was exiled over the matter. Finally, the People of God achieved victory.  

As mentioned in a previous article, John Henry Newman was a recognised expert on the Church Fathers and he wrote the foundational work on the Arian Crisis. The full text of Blessed John Henry Newman’s Arians of the Fourth Century can be read here 

Newman wrote that: “And again, in speaking of the laity, I speak inclusively of their parish-priests (so to call them), at least in many places; but on the whole, taking a wide view of the history, we are obliged to say that the governing body of the Church came short, and the governed were pre-eminent in faith, zeal, courage, and constancy.”   

And also:    

“...the body of the Episcopate was unfaithful to its commission, while the body of the laity was faithful to its baptism; that at one time the pope, at other times a patriarchal, metropolitan, or other great see, at {466} other times general councils, said what they should not have said, or did what obscured and compromised revealed truth; while, on the other hand, it was the Christian people, who, under Providence, were the ecclesiastical strength of Athanasius, Hilary, Eusebius of Vercellæ, and other great solitary confessors, who would have failed without them ...”  

This makes it plain that the Holy Spirit teaches and guides the church, the People of God, and when Rome tries to teach something incorrect it will not be accepted.  

What about the new Mass translation? It is not teaching any theological error, but is bringing the Eucharist to people in a patriarchal environment. For example, the use of “chalice”, which contradicts scripture, apparently has the main purpose of glorifying the priesthood.  

The use of words such as consubstantial and oblation defy explanation. Rome has lost its way.  

However, unless the bishops and priests take action there is very little the laity can do about the Mass translation used. Unfortunately, many are leaving the church and the new translation will only confirm their decisions.  

In the case of HV, the People of God ignore and ridicule institutional church teaching, whereas with the new translation of the Mass they either grin and bear it or leave the church.  

This disconnect between the laity and the hierarchy cannot continue indefinitely, on the level of church teaching (e.g. HV) and practical decisions (e.g. Mass translations)..

Is there a good shepherd out there?