Pope Says Attempts to Destroy Family as Institution Deeply Wounds Society

Associated Press ^ | Published: Nov 20, 2004 | Associated Press

[weenie]

I hear you...and agree.

[Aquinasfan]

Matthew 18:17

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Another related passage:

1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

[Aquinasfan]

Howvever, this is said in the context of conflict resolution with a fellow believer.

If Jesus gave the Church (the Church) the authority to decide private conflicts, wouldn't the Church have the authority to decide matters regarding doctrine?

After all, Jesus founded one Church (Matthew 16:19) which Scripture calls "the pillar and foundation of truth."

And after all, it was the Church that wrote, preserved and canonized sacred Scripture.