Authority

[FriarTuck]

I wanted to ask this question here because I believe Catholics have a greater understanding of Authority than most. As I've been going through the process to enter Seminary Romans 13 has become very important to me.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

I think that often times God speaks to us through those he has placed in authority over us. So here's the question, someone in authority over you tells you to do something you know to be wrong, it could be a Bishop your boss at work, your husband ( if you believe in the authority of the husband as head of the wife). Should you submit though you know it's wrong. Are you commiting a sin or would the greater sin to disobey

 

[Y_Cathol]

You do have the duty to be obedient, but, as a Christian, you also have the grave duty to do what is right.

If that means being disobedient, then so be it. the Truth, and justice must be upheld.

 

[FullyMT]

Depends on what you mean as "wrong". Do you mean do something contrary to the teachings of the Church, or just something you personally don't think is a good idea?
If a superior is telling you to do something contrary to the teachings of the Church, you should first talk to them about it (humbly), and if it is still contrary in your opinion, you talk to their superior about it, etc.

 

[Y_Cathol]

Depends on what you mean as "wrong". Do you mean do something contrary to the teachings of the Church, or just something you personally don't think is a good idea?
If a superior is telling you to do something contrary to the teachings of the Church, you should first talk to them about it (humbly), and if it is still contrary in your opinion, you talk to their superior about it, etc.

^^ what he said ....

again

 

[BjBarnett]

I would say that if it were intrinsically evil then you would have to disobey that authority.

 

[stray bullet]

I wanted to ask this question here because I believe Catholics have a greater understanding of Authority than most. As I've been going through the process to enter Seminary Romans 13 has become very important to me.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

I think that often times God speaks to us through those he has placed in authority over us. So here's the question, someone in authority over you tells you to do something you know to be wrong, it could be a Bishop your boss at work, your husband ( if you believe in the authority of the husband as head of the wife). Should you submit though you know it's wrong. Are you commiting a sin or would the greater sin to disobey

I would think that would depend on what you were being asked to do. If your bishop tells you to go and kill people, then disobey. If you were a priest and your bishop unfairly told you to stop celebrating Mass, then you should obey.

 

[Febe]

I would think that would depend on what you were being asked to do. If your bishop tells you to go and kill people, then disobey. If you were a priest and your bishop unfairly told you to stop celebrating Mass, then you should obey.

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[Sisof8]

Is there any sort of biblical proof that if it is wrong we aren't to obey?

Like... if a 10 year old has been Catholic his whole life and he loves the Church and his parents convert to a non-denominational church and tell him he isn't allowed to attend mass anymore... what does he do? what is he is 15? 17?

Or... A student's teacher has them reading a book that has cussing or sexual material in it and the student feels it would be wrong... what do they do?

 

[stray bullet]

Is there any sort of biblical proof that if it is wrong we aren't to obey?

Like... if a 10 year old has been Catholic his whole life and he loves the Church and his parents convert to a non-denominational church and tell him he isn't allowed to attend mass anymore... what does he do? what is he is 15? 17?

A ten year old would need to maintain his faith through prayer and witnessing, until he was 18, at which time he could join the Church.