Letters

Scripture and the Magisterium

John Frey

Contents - Mar 2004 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Archbishop Wilson's challenge for educators - Michael Gilchrist Red Mass Homily: Can Lawyers Be Saints? - Bishop Anthony Fisher News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Ad limina 2004: The 'Statement of Conclusions' five years on - Michael Gilchrist Archaeology: Macquarie University's latest papyrus fragments shed light on early Christianity - Peter Westmore USA: American bishops critical of their RE texts - Zenit News Service USA: Pro-abortion politicians put on notice - AD2000 HIV/AIDS: A Catholic approach to AIDS: value-based behaviour change - Sr Miriam Duggan World AIDS Day: A Cardinal, AIDS and the BBC - Msgr Peter J. Elliott Virtue ethics: Challenging our contemporary culture's flawed worldview - Hayden Ramsey Wisdom from the 17th century: an anonymous nun's prayer Letters: Tabernacle (letter) - Rosemary Chandler Letters: Human life (letter) - Robert Prinzen-Wood Letters: Social Justice Statement (letter) Poetry: TERESA : A tribute to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta - John Meston Letters: Inspiring (letter) - Fr Joseph Medwin Letters: Scripture and the Magisterium - John Frey Letters: Missal (letter) - John Rayner Events: Albury-Melbourne Life Walk (letter) - George Simpson Letters: African Rosary and Prayer Book Appeal (letter) - Obour Isaac Books: John Henry Newman on the pre-eminent place of the Blessed Virgin in Christianity - Leo Madigan (reviewer) Books: Lord, Have Mercy : The Healing Power of Confession, by Scott Hahn - Paul Russell (reviewer) Books: Archbishop Fulton Sheen : A Man for All Media, by Gregory Joseph Ladd - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) CD Review: FOLLOW ME : The life of Jesus for children, by Zak Zreikat - Joe Padero (reviewer) Books: THE HEADLONG TRAFFIC : Poems and Prose 1997 to 2002, by Bruce Dawe - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Music: Reflections for Peace, Joy and Serenity, by Melanie and Christopher Duluk - Paul Russell (reviewer) Books: AD Books - More new titles for 2004 Reflection: Scholarship, truth and Divine Revelation - Fr John O'Neill

Scott Hahn sounded positive when interviewed about the effect of Dei Verbum on ecumenical relations (February AD2000). The point that seemed to impress him was the idea that the Magisterium was subordinate to the Scriptures! I do not find that Dei Verbum supports this view.

Perusing Dei Verbum, article 10, one finds that "this teaching office is not above the word of God, but serves it ...". Now, "not to be above" something does not necessarily mean to be subordinate to it. The Council Fathers did not use the word "subordinate" and their choice of expression is not without significance.

Furthermore, Dei Verbum states that "sacred Tradition, sacred Scripture and the teaching authority of the Church ... are so linked and joined together that one cannot stand without the others, and that all together and each in its own way under the action of the one Holy Spirit contribute effectively to the salvation of souls."

JOHN FREY
Wollongong, NSW

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 17 No 2 (March 2004), p. 15