The Security of the Petrine Magisterium amidst Subjectivism and Relativism
(Prof. José Vidamor B. Yu, Manila)
Petrine Magisterium marks one of the most important features of the
Catholic Church. It holds a very prominent place in the Catholic teachings especially
on matters of faith and morals. It is through the Magisterium that the Catholic
Church communicates and professes the truth about Christ to the world. Christ
declared that: “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free” (Jn
8:32). Vatican II declares its duty to proclaim and teach with authority
through the Church Magisterium the truth, which is Christ. She has the mission
to declare and confirm by her authority the moral principles, which springs
from human nature. (cf. DH 14)
The Magisterium at the
Service of Christ
The Church’s Petrine
Magisterium is always at the service of Christ. It exercises its authority to
teach the values of the Kingdom of God in the world. The Magisterium holds on
to the Truth as it refutes and corrects error. Therefore it is the obligation
of every Catholic to adhere to the teachings of the Magisterium. Lumen Gentium reminds us that the
pronouncements especially made by the Roman Pontiff should be accepted with
reverence. (cf. LG 25) In a world that is pursuing moral relativism, the Church
has always the duty of restoring Christian objective standards. Benedict XVI
has characterized relativism as the primary evil that is constantly challenging
the Church today.
Adhering to the basic
truths about Christ and the Church does not diminish human freedom but exalts
it. The Church continues to proclaim the truth and safeguard it amidst
widespread subjectivism and relativism. Renewed evangelisation and catechesis
will always lead the human person towards his goal and fulfilment.
As relativism is
understood as a philosophical thought and practice holding all points of view
equally valid and all truth relative to the individual, the Magisterium is
duty-bound to proclaim absolute truths because it is responsible for the
holiness of the faithful. The inspiring principles of the Church in the
documents of Vatican II have to be promoted as it is called to scrutinize the
signs of the times. (cf GS 4) The Magisterium defends principles, which are
true, and rejects what are false. The bishops are bound to look after the good
of their flock, indeed even for the good of the Church as well as the holiness
of the faithful. (cf. LG 22).
The loss of the
objectivity of moral standards has led many of the faithful to the “crisis of
faith.” People today make decisions without considering God in all aspects of
deliberation. Truths are not determined by opinion polls or individual points
of view. In this case, man will look at his “self” apart from absolute truths
and becomes an autonomous creator of his moral values and truths. Securing
Petrine Magisterium involves the mission of restoring the basis of human
freedom, which is Divine Truth. The Church exposes the dangers of man’s
creation of his own subjective morality. The Church proclaims that it is only
in human freedom and in God’s law that genuine moral autonomy can be realized
in man. It is in the Truth does man’s genuine freedom become truly human and
responsible. Today, there is a need to safeguard more the deposit of faith,
which will be the path towards the holiness of life.