Magisterium

Magisterium of the Catholic Church

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Mt 16:18-19

Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time."Mt 28:18-20

Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the guardians, to feed the Church of God which He bought with the blood of His own Son.I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. Acts 20:28-30

Magisterium- the Church's teaching authority, instituted by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, which seeks to safeguard and explain the truths of the faith. The Magisterium is exercised in two ways:

extraordinary, when the Pope and ecumenical councils infallibly define a truth of faith or morals that is necessary for one's salvation and that has been constantly taught and held by the Church;
ordinary, when the Church infallibly defines truths of the Faith:

taught universally and without dissent,
which must be taught or the Magisterium would be failing in its duty
connected with a grave matter of faith or morals,
taught authoritatively.

Not everything taught by the Magisterium is done so infallibly; however, the exercise of the Magisterium is faithful to Christ and what He taught. Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Dictionary, Rev. Peter M. J. Stravinkas, Ph.D., S.T. L.

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