Obedience - A Maligned and Misunderstood Virtue

JMJ

The principle of obedience as laid down by St. Thomas says 'nothing' about trusting one's superiour. Probably because to make a principle subject to how one feels about the person issuing the command is the essence of liberalism.

The Catholic principle is laid out as follows:

The person issuing the command is in a position of authority over the inferior
The command is within the scope of the superior's authority
The command does not require the inferior to sin, either in the immediate or proximate case.
If the above conditions are met then the person has an obligation to obey. Disobedience in this case is sinful.
Whereas if #3 is lacking (sinful command) then the person has an obligation to disobey
Whereas if #1 or #2 is lacking the person practice greater virtue in obeying a command that is not obligatory.

Now if conditions 1,2, and 3 are met - then the inferior whether they trust the superior or not are obliged to obey and it is sinful not to do so.

The point is that you have to trust God.

In this case the person is obedient and places their trust in God to protect them because they (the inferior) have established within their power that the command does not constitute an immediate or proximate sin.

An example of these principles put into practice, in my opinion, is present in the discussions between Rome and the SSPX, more particularly between the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) and Bishop Fellay, the Superior General of the SSPX.

Reference: Summa Theologica Second Part of the Second Part, Question 104

Comments

Is it sinful to attend the Novus Ordo (New Mass) - Is it Sinful to Not Attend the Novus Ordo on Sunday?

+ JMJ A non-SSPX Catholic is upset over the SSPX statements on not attending the Novus Ordo Missae. Ladies and gentlemen, what the SSPX, or at least its website editor, is advocating is a mortal sin against the Third Commandment. Unless the priest deviates from the language of the Sacramentary, the consecration, and thus the rest of Mass is to be considered valid. No one may elect not to attend Mass simply because abuses are occurring therein. Might I suggest that such absenteeism is its own abuse? The Third Commandment binds under mortal sin. Father So-And-So from the SSPX has no authority whatsoever to excuse attendance at Mass, be that Mass ever so unpalatable. Source:Restore DC Catholicism Well, this is interesting. First why does the SSPX issue this statement? Because it is sinful to put your faith in danger by attending a protestant service. It is likewise dangerous to put your faith in danger by attending a protestantized mass (ie the Novus Ordo Missae

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

Regarding Post: Fr. Joseph Pfeiffer no longer ... now Bishop Joseph Pfeiffer (Can't see this being a problem...)

+ JMJ I've been watching the popularity of the post about Fr. Pfeiffer's attempted episcopal consecration and its continued top listing on the 'popular posts' list at the bottom of posts. After some thought, I decided that I don't want to be responsible for anyone joining Fr. Pfeiffer's 'group', however unlikely that would be at this time. So I have reverted the article to the draft state. If anyone wants it reinstated, I would ask that they comment on this post with a rationale for reinstatement. P^3

The Vatican and SSPX – An Organizational Culture Perspective

Introduction The recent and continuing interactions between the Vatican and the SSPX have been a great opportunity for prayer and reflection. The basis for the disagreement is theological and not liturgical. As noted by Dr. Lamont (2012), the SSPX theological position on the four key controversial aspects of the Second Vatican Council are base on prior theological work that resulted from relevant magisterial pronouncements. So it is difficult to understand the apparent rejection of the theological position of the SSPX.

Auctorem Fidei

Can the SSPX be right about the Novus Ordo? Revision: Feb 11, 2013 On another web forum, I was engaged in a rather heated discussion about the documents of Vatican II.

Tradicat

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