magisterium, from magister, “teacher”
Magisterium
maj-ih-STEER-ee-um
The teaching authority of the Church, exercised by the pope and the bishops in communion with him, which authentically interprets Scripture and Tradition.
the office of teaching
The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in Scripture or in Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone, which exercises that authority in the name of Jesus Christ. The Catechism is emphatic that the Magisterium is not above the Word of God but its servant, teaching only what has been handed on. It speaks with varying degrees of authority, from the everyday teaching of a bishop to solemn definitions that engage infallibility, and the faithful owe a corresponding response to each.
Councils
Where the Church settled or debated this. Follow a council to read our article on it, or the decrees themselves.
- 1869–1870First Vatican Councilthe decrees
- 1962–1965Second Vatican Councilthe decrees
Sources checked 29 September 2026