Send CathInfo's owner Matthew a gift from his Amazon wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25M2B8RERL1UO

Author Topic: What are the limits to the authority of a priest in civil and personal matters?  (Read 3159 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Motivated by a curious case on which a certain priest prohibited the faithful to share the e-mails he sends about mass times on message groups, I began to wonder what are the limits to priestly authority.

I mean, the faithful are required to obey the priests about spiritual matters only. At least that's my understanding.

For instance, can a priest order you to quit your job (presuming it is not an immoral work)? Can a priest prohibit you from wearing red shoes? Can a priest give orders to a Catholic monarch about state affairs?

I could not find any good resources about this.

Forbidding the sharing of e-mails would not fall under the priestly authority but could fall under the e-mail privacy laws of your State.

Either way, if the Priest specifically mentions not to share the e-mail to anyone, then out of respect you should obey the request. Same respect as you would give to your parents or family when they trust you to keep information confidential. 

If you feel it is important to share the information, then ask the priest for permission.


Motivated by a curious case on which a certain priest prohibited the faithful to share the e-mails he sends about mass times on message groups, I began to wonder what are the limits to priestly authority.

I mean, the faithful are required to obey the priests about spiritual matters only. At least that's my understanding.

For instance, can a priest order you to quit your job (presuming it is not an immoral work)? Can a priest prohibit you from wearing red shoes? Can a priest give orders to a Catholic monarch about state affairs?

I could not find any good resources about this.
If he is your diocesan priest, he has more authority over you than an sspx, fssp, independent, etc.

For the latter, he has authority over you only in the confessional and at the altar rail.  You can give him authority over you on other matters, if you choose.

Common civility is demanded, at least.  If you would post info from a friend if they asked you not to, you should give the priest at least the same respect.

Offline Ladislaus

  • Supporter
Forbidding the sharing of e-mails would not fall under the priestly authority but could fall under the e-mail privacy laws of your State.

This^^^.  If a priest tried to command you not to send an e-mail with your own personal thoughts to some other individual, he wouldn't have any strict authority to do so.  But these are e-mail HE sent out, so ethics/morals would require abiding by his intentions.

Offline Yeti

  • Supporter
If he is your diocesan priest, he has more authority over you than an sspx, fssp, independent, etc.
.
What you call a "diocesan priest" doesn't have the authority to command a dog to roll over. He is a heretic posing as a Catholic priest.