Folia Theologica 2. (1991)
Francisco J. Urrkutia: The Magisterium: how it works
26 FJ. URRUTIA The more one is qualified to penetrate deeply into a given complex problem, the more easily will that person agree that in today’s pluralistic society it is near utopianism to think that, no matter what doctrinal point is presented by the Church’s authentic teaching, it will inspire unanimity. Those teachings not only imply an „anthropological" approach which is not that of the majority of people, but also they may imply a perception of the Gospel not shared by the world in which we live. The teachings themselves touch upon very sensitive problems, and easily provoke emotional reactions, which obscure intellectual perception even in otherwise very balanced persons: I think of so many questions not only in the area of sexuality, but equally concerning social or economic issues. Generally speaking, the deep persuasion that personal freedom is a fundamental right, very much threatened from so many quarters, can in many cases trigger a negative reaction to any teaching by the authentic authority of the Church, particularly in areas of personal morality. 15. In concluding these reflections, perhaps it is wothwhile to add that we should not remain just at the level of doctrinal principles. Perhaps it is necessary to open our minds and our hearts, to the ecclesial and spiritual dimensions of our personal attitudes concerning the non-infallible teachings of the pope, if not for other reasons, in order to disintoxicate ourselves from the pervasive criteria in today’s sociaty which have so little in sommon with the gospel. When the H. Father insist upon a teaching as certain, our coherent attitude, then, is that of renouncing our personal views, and submitting our intellect and will in homage to the religious authority, given by the Lord precisely to guide us in the field of faith and morals, even though the possibility could not absolutely be excluded that one day we might have to change our stand. In homage to his authority, I say. In fact, our response should spring from an attitude of faith. From a conviction based on our spirit of faith that the Lord will not fail us when we let ourselves be guided in our religious life by him to whom he entrusted this mission. Even if, as I say, one day, we would have to change our views, following a change in the non-infallible teaching of the H. Father.
