Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
About Mary
Searching and Confused
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
back
Specific Practices
Church Internals
Church History

A-1 wrote:

Hi, guys —

  • I understand that God told us to follow His Church and not ourselves as well as how we should interpret and understand the Bible, however if the Church where to say something that is clearly not in accord with God's Law — that is, immoral, would it be morally OK to disobey Church teaching?

A-1

  { If the Church says something that is clearly immoral, is it morally OK to disobey Church teaching? }

Bob replied:

Dear Friend,

Thank you for the question.

These days many have been asking a similar question, because we often hear so many confusing and contradictory things coming from the pontificate of Pope Francis, and even in our churches.

If you are taught something that is contrary to the law of God, even by a member of the Church's hierarchy, then you are not obliged to keep it. The body of timeless teaching, the content of faith, is trustworthy and it is often apparent that some clergy contradict it because they have a different agenda.

We can resist that and be in good standing with the Church. The act of rebellion, schism, or heresy comes when we deny the legitimate authority and teaching of the Church, as it has been handed down to us through the generations.

To know the difference, we must consult declarations of the Church, councils, the creed, and things of that nature, and of course, the Catechism is essential. That said, however, I would revert to the Catechism of the Council of Trent, because even the Catechism of the Catholic Church that was published in the 1990s has suffered some tampering as of late.

In any case, if you have a particular issue you need help with, feel free to write us.

Peace,

Bob Kirby

A-1 replied:

Hi Bob,

Thank you for your response.

I understand that if the Church were to tell us to do something that is not in accord with God's law, it is morally OK to disobey the Church but more specifically what I meant is:

  • What if the Church told us not to do something that is in accord with God's Law?

For instance, if they were to fall prey to the global warming agenda and teach that marriage and parenthood or (self defense or civil disobedience) were immoral.

A-1

Bob replied:

Dear friend,

The same principle applies; the Church cannot tell you to do anything that is not consistent with God's Law, never mind something that is beyond Her competence and jurisdiction like global warming related issues.

The eco theology that Pope Francis is espousing is one such problematic area, because the Vatican seems to be aligned with the United Nations, who have an agenda that strongly features population control, which is contrary to Catholic teaching.

A conscientious Catholic is not obliged to honor such directives.

Peace,

Bob Kirby

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.