Learning to be Quick to Listen

The Catholic Church possesses a unique and profound teaching authority, a power it received directly from Christ himself. This authority is encapsulated by the term " Magisterium ," derived from the Latin word "magister," meaning "teacher." The Magisterium can refer to the very power to make authoritative decisions and pronouncements, as in "the pope exercised his magisterium." It also designates those individuals who possess this teaching power, such as when we speak of "The Magisterium teaches this." Furthermore, the term can encompass the entire body of authoritative teachings themselves, as seen when referring to "the magisterium of Paul VI." This multi-faceted term highlights the comprehensive nature of the Church's role as a guide in matters of faith and morals. The Magisterium is further delineated by various distinctions. We encounter the "universal magisterium," which signifies all the bishops of the ...

The U.S. immigration crisis continues to be a pressing issue, and Catholic bishops along the Texas-Mexico border are stepping up to affirm their support for the common good and demand reform of the broken U.S. immigration system. During a biannual meeting held from February 26-28 at Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, bishops from both sides of the border convened to discuss their shared mission, with a particular focus on the "situation of migrants and refugees." This year's gathering took on heightened relevance given the new federal administrations in both the U.S. and Mexico. Bishop Eugenio Andrés Lira Rugarcía of Matamoros-Reynosa, Mexico, and Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, jointly addressed the assembly, outlining a "pastoral response to the current migration crisis from the border." In their statement, the bishops emphasized the Catholic Church's long-standing commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. "We want to make it cle...