Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 142 - Part III.

YOUCAT Question n. 142 - Part III. Can bishops act and teach against the Pope, or the Pope against the bishops? 

(Youcat answer - repeated) Bishops cannot act and teach against the Pope, but only with him. In contrast, the Pope can make decisions in clearly defined cases even without the approval of the bishops.     

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 887) Neighboring particular Churches who share the same culture form ecclesiastical provinces or larger groupings called patriarchates or regions (Cf. Apostolic Constitutions 34). The bishops of these groupings can meet in synods or provincial councils. "In a like fashion, the episcopal conferences at the present time are in a position to contribute in many and fruitful ways to the concrete realization of the collegiate spirit" (LG 23 § 3).     

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Of course the Pope in all his decisions is bound by the Church’s faith. There is something like a general sense of the faith in the Church, a fundamental conviction in matters of faith that is brought about by the Holy Spirit and present throughout the Church, the Church’s “common sense”, so to speak, which recognizes “what has always and everywhere been believed by all” (Vincent of Lerins).

(CCC Comment)   

(CCC 888) 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 (PO 4; cf. Mk 16:15). They are "heralds of faith, who draw new disciples to Christ; they are authentic teachers" of the apostolic faith "endowed with the authority of Christ" (LG 25).    

(This question: Can bishops act and teach against the Pope, or the Pope against the bishops? is continued)