Is the Pope morally obliged to submit to every secular authority?
score:5
In Catholicism, civil/social authority is a distinctly good thing, patterned after and ordained by God's own authority. The Catholic Catechism has a whole article (and several reiterations of these themes) on social structures and authority.
ARTICLE 2
PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE
...
1898 Every human community needs an authority to govern it. The foundation of such authority lies in human nature. It is necessary for the unity of the state. Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society.
1899 The authority required by the moral order derives from God: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” (CCC, Participation in Social Life)
So, it is my understanding that the Pope is morally obligated to submit all authorities in the communities to which he belongs, and presumably to a some extent in those communities he visits as well.
There is, as Alypius noted, an explicit exception.
Authority is exercised legitimately only when it seeks the common good of the group concerned and if it employs morally licit means to attain it. If rulers were to enact unjust laws or take measures contrary to the moral order, such arrangements would not be binding in conscience. In such a case, “authority breaks down completely and results in shameful abuse.” (CCC 1903)
Hence, all Catholics, including the Pope, are required to submit to all rightful authorities in our communities and their laws, except those that are unjust or contrary to natural law or God's Law. And, we are morally obligated to disobey unjust or immoral laws.
Thus, disobedience in some settings can be a virtue and desirable moral response, and civil disobedience is an option in some instances. Blind obedience is not a value. Catholics must be alert not only to the ways in which they might be tempted to participate in evil intentionally and personally, but also the ways in which they might participate in evil socially and structurally by observing, tolerating, or ignoring systemic social and economic oppression. (Friends And Not Adversaries: A Catholic-Muslim Spiritual Journey)
Sorry, I couldn't quickly find a better, more focused resource for this.
Reiterating, the Pope, like every Catholic, is required to submit to the authorities in all communities in which he holds membership to the extent that the authority is rightful and just. In my understanding, this includes any law or dictate that is not distinctly opposed to justice and charity, enacted by a legitimate authority, wherein immunity has not been granted explicitly or implicitly. Bear in mind, since the Pope is sovereign of his own state, he is almost always granted diplomatic immunity.
Pope Gelasius I was the first pope recorded as enjoying diplomatic immunity, as it is noted in his letter Duo sunt to emperor Anastasius. (Wikpedia, Diplomatic Immunity)
Upvote:10
It's a mistake to interpret the 1 Peter passage as meaning "every conceivable human authority". It means only those that have legitimate authority over you. People in Roman Israel were not expected to obey the laws of Roman Britain, unless visiting there. Likewise a US citizen is not expected to obey the laws of France while in the US.
Christians have also recognized that there are situations which override this passage. If the state forbids you to worship or follow God, that is not something you should obey. If the state commands you to kill and persecute those of a particular race, that is not something you should obey. Jesus himself demonstrated this by refusing the commands of the religious authorities to stop teaching.
On the specific case you ask about, the Pope is head of state of the Vatican, and as such is his own 'human authority'. That doesn't mean he is immune to the rules of that state, as is the case with most heads of state. If he were to violate the rules of the Catholic Church he would, as I understand it, be subject to discipline.
Regarding other countries' authorities: countries rules mostly don't extend to those who who are not citizens and not present in the country. Visiting heads of state are usually subject to diplomatic immunity, and so other countries' rules again don't apply.
In the unlikely event that the Pope found time to study for a fine arts degree, and that he didn't do so at a Vatican institution, I don't see any reason to think he wouldn't abide by the rules of the institution.
Finally: the Pope has only been in his office a week. If you want to find out what his teaching is on this subject, I recommend waiting.
More post
- 📝 Are Naaman's actions considered an exception to God's laws?
- 📝 Tower of Babel dispersion after the Table of Nations?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers?
- 📝 Want blessing of civil marriage
- 📝 Where can I find Julia Smith's translation of the Septuagint?
- 📝 Can a priest act on a confession of molestation?
- 📝 Looking for a study
- 📝 Are there any accounts of "words of knowledge" taking place outside of Pentecostal and Charismatic denominations?
- 📝 Hierarchy and paid clergy of Jehovah's Witnesses church
- 📝 How did Martin Luther see Israel?
- 📝 Creed, Encyclical, Decretal, Canon, Bull, etc - What's the difference?
- 📝 Who is the speaker and who is "him" in Daniel 11:1 according to the Seventh-day Adventist?
- 📝 Why Can Prostitutes Come to Solomon?
- 📝 Is it necessary to read Aristotle's books in order to understand St. Thomas Aquinas's «Summa Theologica»?
- 📝 Is there any evidence of the crucifixion of Jesus outside of the bible?
- 📝 Are there any Trinitarian denominations that do not view belief in the Trinity as a "salvation issue"?
- 📝 Praying to people outside the Trinity
- 📝 What teachings do all Catholic schools share?
- 📝 Why didn't God omit non-essential information from the Bible?
- 📝 St. Augustine's view on transmission of original sin?
- 📝 LDS Church view of 1 Timothy 3:2 and 3:12 when they supported polygamy
- 📝 Do we know which sea Jesus calmed?
- 📝 If a Catholic priest absolves my sins without taking a confession, does it still count?
- 📝 Is there any historical evidence of the gifts of healing in operation by the second Century?
- 📝 Is August 15th a day of obligation for all Roman Catholics?
- 📝 What was the normal way to cross the Jordan River during first century in Israel?
- 📝 The word "raised" in Romans 9:17-18 and Exodus 9:16?
- 📝 How do molinists justify a world where not everyone freely chooses salvation?
- 📝 What is the name of this fragment? Where can I find more?
- 📝 Was the Son eternally begotten?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Is the Pope morally obliged to submit to every secular authority?
- 📝 Does the Catholic Church teach that it has the authority to change what is morally right and wrong?
- 📝 Is the Pope limited in his authority over the Order of Malta?
- 📝 Why did Jesus submit to the authority of God while Jesus was a man?
- 📝 Does the Pope have the authority to baptize aliens (martians)?
- 📝 What degree of authority does the Pope hold to reveal and declare doctrine, or the word of God?
- 📝 When does the Pope speak ex cathedra?
- 📝 Does the pope get paid for being the pope?
- 📝 Has a pope ever been corrected publicly by a non-cleric in the presence of cardinals because of the unclear wording of a papal document?
- 📝 Absent apostolic succession, what is the argument for the authority of the church?
- 📝 What is a brief history on the idea that the Pope is the Antichrist?
- 📝 Is the Pope allowed to publish books after resignation?
- 📝 Are there any secular historical references to the natural phenomena that occurred at the crucifixion and resurrection?
- 📝 Why did early Christians in Acts still go to the Jewish temple every day?
- 📝 How can a Pope be chosen from outside the conclave?
- 📝 In Protestant churches, who is the authority in interpreting the Bible?
- 📝 Does the Bible make a distinction between Christian and secular love?
- 📝 What is the nature of the theory for Pope Joan and the evidence that substantiates it?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for testing the truthfulness of every statement made by Prophets or Apostles who have been confirmed as 'real'?
- 📝 The meaning of "The Other" in the writings by pope John Paul II
- 📝 Why did the pope say gender is a property of essence?
- 📝 The Pope is resigning. How does a living pope confer his authority?
- 📝 Why did the conclave elect Pope Stephen I, when he died prior to taking office?
- 📝 Why did Pope Francis say, "When we encounter the Cross, do we turn to Mary," rather than to Christ?
- 📝 What was Satan's view on the authority of Scripture?
- 📝 Under Catholic dogma can someone publicly rebuke the Pope like Paul rebuked Peter?
- 📝 If every stone of the temple was thrown down how is the Wailing Wall still standing?
- 📝 What happens if the Pope is automatically excommunicated?
- 📝 By what authority does the old Catholic Encyclopedia call itself Catholic?
- 📝 Does the Lutheran view of pope as AntiChrist stem from doctrine of justification?