An Exchange of Letters

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, (c)1994/1997 USCC, makes it clear that only the Magisterium is authorized to interpret Scripture 100 The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him. To hold to an interpretation different from the 'official' understanding is prohibited by the Decree on the Canonincal Scriptures, produced by the Fourth Session of the ecumenical Council of Trent: Furthermore, in order to restrain petulant spirits, It decrees, that no one, relying on his own skill, shall,--in matters of faith, and of morals pertaining to the edification of Christian doctrine, --wresting the sacred Scripture to his own senses, presume to interpret the said sacred Scripture contrary to that sense which holy mother Church,--whose it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the holy Scriptures,--hath held and doth hold; [Page 20] or even contrary to the unanimous consent of the Fathers; even though such interpretations were never (intended) to be at any time published. Contraveners shall be made known by their Ordinaries, and be punished with the penalties by law established. Given the above two "iron-clad" rules concerning the interpretation of Scripture, it seems apparent to me that the Magisterium must have come up with definitive interpretations of all or almost all of the foundational passages in the Bible. T'ain't so. The truth is that the infallible Magisterium has defined precious few Scriptures for the Catholic faithful. How Many? Take a guess, then click here to find out.

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