The Case of Bishop Grosseteste

Just as a general principle, it is not always a sin of disobedience to refuse compliance with the directive of a legitimate authority, neither is it a denial that the legitimate authority exists. Consider the fully-documented case of

Bp Grosseteste & Innocent IV

Robert Grosseteste, the English Bishop of Lincoln (1235-1253), was an erudite, pious and zealous man who sought to reform his clergy. He turned his attention in particular toward those who had received high appointments through special privileges and did not fulfill their obligations.

Pope Innocent IV, however, did not hesitate to name one of his nephews to be a Canon in the Chapter of the Cathedral of Lincoln, ordering the Bishop to install his nephew without delay.

Bp Grosseteste tried by every means and manoeuver to avoid complying. But each time he was out-manoeuvered. After a considerable amount of such work, Bp Grosseteste had no remaining options within the 'normal' framawork of the law. It is then that he sent this reply:

Quote:

“Precisely because of the obedience that binds me and for the love of my union with the Holy See in the Body of Christ, as an obedient son, I disobey, I contradict, I rebel. I resist your command. You cannot take action against me, for my every word and act is not rebellion but the filial honor due by God's Commandment regarding father and mother.

"As I have said, the Apostolic See in its holiness cannot destroy, it can only build. This is what the plentitude of power means; it can do all things toward edification. But these privileges [your request for your nephew] do not build up, they destroy. Therefore, they cannot be the works of the blessed Apostolic See.”

Innocent IV was absolutely beside himself when he received this answer, but his advisors dissuaded him on the grounds that it would be a scandal for all Christendom if he were to move against Bishop Grosseteste.

The following cvomments on the case are posted in http://www.traditioninaction.org website.

Quote:

The deposit of the Faith is transmitted, and the acts of the Church Magisterium - either the supreme or the ordinary Magisterium - are inerrant to the degree that they conform to Catholic Tradition. The cases here reported demonstrate that a Pope is not impeccable and cannot pretend to be the owner of the Catholic Religion. He is an administrator (Tit 1: 7-9) who should remain within the limits of the norms for the exercise of his mandate. St. Paul lists these norms:

• “To keep the deposit of the Faith” (1 Tim 6:20);

• “Before all else, to transmit what he had received” (1 Cor 15:3);

• “To edify and not destroy” (2 Cor 10:8);

• “To keep the Traditions” (2 Tes 2:14);

• “To withdraw from any brother who walks disorderly, not following the received tradition” (2 Thes 3:6);

• “To show himself faithful as the dispenser of the Faith” (1 Cor 4:1-2).

Bishops and Popes, as successors of the Apostles and of the Prince of the Apostles, have a mission determined by the divine constitution of the Church. She must lead men to God, so that they may unite themselves with the Creator without impediments. The Church can never lose sight of this strictly religious and supernatural goal. The way the Church accomplishes this supernatural goal is indicated by Revelation itself. Hence, the obligation to follow Tradition, according to the precept of St. Paul given to the Galatians: “Even if we or an Angel from Heaven were to preach a Gospel to you different from what we have preached to you, let him be anathema” (1:8).

What advice, do you think, should have been given to Bp Grosseteste before he sent that letter to the Pope? (My comment would have been, 'Shall I fill your inkwell, Your Grace?'