Listening to bishops has never been easy – nor will it ever be. But obedience to our superiors is inscribed in the word of God: the Decalogue’s command to honor parents includes obedience as a necessary component. And closer to the current subject, the Letter to the Hebrews says “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give an account.” (13:17)
Editor’s note: This is one of those articles that deals with things – not as they really exist – but as they should be – so most everything contained in it tends towards the theoretical and academic.
When everyone (clerics and laity) properly holds up their particular Catholic “end” of things – faithfully relying on Traditional, time-tested, Catholic philosophy, worship, sacraments, devotions and principles – then it will be a relatively simple matter to obey the bishop – since the choices the bishop makes will reflect the orderly state of an authentically faithful – and Catholic – world. But once things have broken down – as they have in the post-Vatican II, world-wide Catholic Church – chaos – not Christ – reigns – and all bets are off!
May God have mercy on our souls.