By Matthew Buckley
Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg, South Africa, had some critical comments to make on current trends in the Church to a group of laity on June the first. Nor is it the first time he's found occasion to do so. In the past Dowling has expressed on several occasions his support for condoms in the fight against AIDS. Last year he expressed dismay at the new translation of the Mass which is more faithful the Latin as part of "a systematic and well-managed dismantling of the vision, theology and ecclesiology of Vatican II." Some readers may be as confused as I am as to where VII called for inaccurate translations of the Liturgy from the Latin.
In his address Dowling finds time to criticise at length a Mass said by bishop Slattery in April at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington as well as some condescending remarks in relation to the current trend of young orthodox Catholics (he says "conservative"). I don't intend to give any analysis of these remarks. Some of them are things Catholics can even disagree with each other on such as his opinion on the appropriateness of wearing a cappa magna.
However one thing Dowling does show some verbal respect for is ecumenical councils reminding us they are the "extraordinary solemn magisterium." He even helpfully informs us that they bind even the Pope. You may have already guessed that the only ecumenical council he refers to is Vatican II. Not that I have a problem with that. As one who who respects the extraordinary magisterium he no doubt refers to the others on regular occasion.
However one or two remarks are due on Dowling's comments. Firstly, ecumenical councils are one way the Church can exercise her extraordinary magisterium. That does not mean conversely however that every act or teaching of an ecumenical council belongs to the extraordinary magisterium. The Council may issue a disciplinary ruling or decree for instance which could be changed later on. Secondly, it may not necessarily propose a teaching definitively. It is possible for an ecumenical council to exercise the authoritative magisterium.
Dowling also states:
"Since Vatican II there has been no such similar exercise of teaching authority by the magisterium. Instead, a series of decrees, pronouncements and decisions which have been given various “labels” stating, for example, that they must be firmly held to with “internal assent” by the Catholic faithful, but in reality are simply the theological or pastoral interpretations or opinions of those who have power at the centre of the Church."
Actually the statements requiring "internal assent" are those coming from the ordinary papal magisterium whether directly from the Pope himself or with his explicit approval by one of his congregations acting in his name. Such documents are personally confirmed by the Pope himself in audience where he orders their promulgation.
Now where this becomes tricky for Dowling is the internal assent due to such teachings is itself part of the "theological vision" of Vatican II. Lumen Gentium 25 states:
"This religious submission of mind and will must be shown in a special way to the authentic magisterium of the Roman Pontiff, even when he is not speaking ex cathedra; that is, it must be shown in such a way that his supreme magisterium is acknowledged with reverence, the judgments made by him are sincerely adhered to, according to his manifest mind and will."
Hence Dowling's following comment misses the mark entirely:
"They have not been solemnly defined as belonging to the “deposit of the faith” to be believed and followed, therefore, by all Catholics, as with other solemnly proclaimed dogmas."
He then mixes in two issues by way of example:
"For example, the issues of celibacy for the priesthood and the ordination of women, withdrawn even from the realm of discussion."
One (celibacy) is a venerable tradition the other is a doctrine which is indeed infallibly taught and must be "held definitively by all the Church's faithful" (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis). Only infallible teaching must be held "definitively." It does not merely require "internal assent" of one's mind and will.
While I would not worry too much about the dying out likes of Bishop Dowling his comments have provided an opportunity to point out once again the importance of reading the documents of Vatican II in order to correctly understand what the faith of the Church is.
