Issue of Authority in Roman Catholicism and Islam
1. Roman Catholicism
The Second Vatican Council favored the image of the church as the People of God, which should lead to widespread calls for democratic church. However, Vatican II emphasized that the church is hierarchical as well.
Hierarchy:
? the spiritual head and leader of the Catholic Church is the Pope. He is elected by the College of Cardinals).
? Cardinals, on the other hand, are appointed by the Pope
? Bishops provide pastoral governance for a dioceses
? Priests and Deacons (Deacons are males who are below a priest in rank and who perform some of the duties of the priest). A priest is normally in charge of parishes, and he is referred to as the parish priest or the pastor.
? Members of religious orders (such as nuns, friars, monks) are considered lay members unless individually ordained as priests.
? The primary vocation of the Faithful is to bring the gospel message into the world.
2. Islam
• In contrast, in Islam there is no church hierarchy: no priests, no bishops, no popes.
• one of the most frequently invoked Qur’anic passage, in discussions of authority and policy making, is 4:59: “Obey God, obey the Prophet, and those in authority among you.”
• Sunni Muslims believe that because Muhammad did not designate a successor, the best or most qualified person should be either selected or elected as leader (caliph).
• Shiis, by contrast, believe that succession to the leadership of the Muslim community should be hereditary, passed down to Muhammad’s mal ...