Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Day 124: Teaching, Sanctifying, and Governing

Introduction

In Day 124 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, released on May 4, 2025, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into paragraphs 888 to 896 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He explores the threefold office entrusted to the Pope and bishops: teaching, sanctifying, and governing. Fr. Schmitz emphasizes the significance of these roles in preserving the purity of the faith and guiding the Church in alignment with Jesus Christ’s model of service.

The Threefold Office: Teaching, Sanctifying, Governing

Fr. Schmitz begins by outlining the threefold office bestowed upon the Holy Father and bishops:

1. Teaching Office:

   • “The teaching office Bishops with priests as co-workers have as their first task to preach the Gospel of God to all men in keeping with the Lord's command.” [12:30]
   • This role involves authentically teaching the apostolic faith, preserving the Church’s purity, and ensuring adherence to doctrines handed down by the apostles.

2. Sanctifying Office:

   • “The bishop is the steward of the grace of the supreme priesthood, especially in the Eucharist, which he offers personally, or whose offering he assures through the priests, his co-workers.” [25:45]
   • Bishops and priests sanctify the Church through their ministries, particularly the Eucharist, serving as examples of holiness and guiding the faithful towards eternal life.

3. Governing Office:

   • “The bishops, as vicars and legates of Christ, govern the particular churches assigned to them by their councils, exhortations and example.” [38:10]
   • This authority allows bishops to lead their dioceses with humility and wisdom, ensuring governance aligns with the spirit of service modeled by Jesus.

Infallibility of the Magisterium

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the infallibility of the Magisterium in matters of faith and morals:

• Papal Infallibility:

  • “When the Holy Father does teach in virtue of his office as supreme pastor and teacher, he proclaims by a definitive act, a doctrine pertaining to faith and morals.” [52:20]
  • Fr. Schmitz clarifies that not all papal teachings are infallible. Infallibility is exercised when the Pope speaks ex cathedra—from his official capacity as the supreme pastor.

• Bishops’ Infallibility:

  • “The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops, when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme magisterium, above all in an ecumenical council.” [65:55]
  • Infallible teachings can also emerge from ecumenical councils, where the collective authority of the bishops, in communion with the Pope, defines doctrines to be adhered to with the obedience of faith.

• Ordinary Magisterium:

  • “When they propose in the exercise of the ordinary magisterium a teaching that leads to better understanding of revelation in matters of faith and morals... the faithful are to adhere to it with religious assent.” [78:40]
  • Not all teachings require infallible assent. Ordinary teachings, while important, invite religious assent rather than the full obligation of infallible doctrines.

Role of the People of God

Fr. Schmitz highlights the sensus fideli—the faithful’s supernatural sense guiding them to adhere to the Church’s teachings:

• “The people of God, under the guidance of the Church's living magisterium, unfailingly adheres to this faith.” [103:15]
• This collective adherence ensures that the Church remains true to its mission and preserves the integrity of the faith.

Responsible Governance and Servant Leadership

Emphasizing the potential dangers of ecclesiastical authority, Fr. Schmitz reiterates the importance of servant leadership:

• “The good shepherd ought to be the model and form of the bishop's pastoral office.” [150:30]
• Bishops are called to govern with humility and compassion, reflecting Jesus’ example of serving rather than being served.

Application to the Faithful

Fr. Schmitz encourages the faithful to approach Church teachings with openness and docility:

• “How do I approach the teachings of the Church? Do I do that with a mind to say, okay, prove it to me, or do I do it with a mind that says, okay, teach me?” [200:05]
• He stresses the importance of being receptive to the Church’s guidance to fully embrace and live out the Catholic faith.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch’s Guidance

Concluding the episode, Fr. Schmitz references Saint Ignatius of Antioch to underscore the unity and authority within the Church:

• “Let all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows his Father and the college of presbyters, the apostles, respect the deacons as you do God's law.” [260:50]
• This call to unity reinforces the necessity of adhering to episcopal leadership for the Church’s cohesion and mission.

Conclusion

Fr. Mike Schmitz wraps up Day 124 by reaffirming the essential roles of the Pope and bishops in teaching, sanctifying, and governing the Church. He encourages listeners to support their leaders through prayer, embodying the spirit of service and humility that Christ exemplified. This comprehensive exploration not only elucidates the Catechism’s teachings but also inspires the faithful to actively engage with and uphold the Church’s mission.

Notable Quotes

• “The magisterium's task is to preserve God's people from deviations and affections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of professing the true faith without error.” [88:45]
• “Divine assistance is also given to the successors of the apostles, teaching in communion with the successor of Peter, and in a particular way to the Bishop of Rome, pastor of the whole Church.” [110:20]
• “When laying out their authority, the bishops should not be thought of as vicars of the Pope.” [185:10]

This summary captures the essence of Day 124’s discussion on the Catechism’s teachings about the roles of the Pope and bishops, the nature of infallibility, and the responsibilities of both Church leaders and the faithful.