Is it wrong for a layman or a priest to offer fraternal correction to bishops, or even the Pope?

Is it wrong for a layman or a priest to offer fraternal correction to bishops, or even the Pope? Some have argued that is would never be correct, but Holy Scripture and our own Christian Traditions say otherwise.

Saint Peter and Saint Paul by Jusepe de Ribera

- St Paul opposed St Peter (First Pope) to his face: “Today, we need more men and women in the Church who, like St Paul, are militant, stalwart and unafraid to live, defend and advance our noble Catholic ideals before a world that is rapidly sinking to the depths of moral depravity. Yes, it is virtuous to be meek but there is a time for everything.”

In a moment of human weakness Peter showed unreasonable fear of scandalizing his Jewish compatriots, and thus shunned the company of the non-Jewish Christians. Peter was certainly to blame for the truth must never be set aside through fear of scandal. Therefore, St Paul was right in rebuking Peter publicly because his action was a source of public scandal to the non-Jewish Christians. It is important that we understand that Paul did not oppose Peter’s leadership authority but only in the exercise of authority within the context of the situation at hand. However, St Paul’s unequivocal and forthright opposition to St Peter, ‘to his face’, showed his aggressive and courageous personality. At present, most Catholics, including the clergy and the laity, unlike St Paul, are too passive, often adopting weak and apologetic attitude in public defense of our faith. Today, we need more men and women in the Church who, like St Paul, are militant, stalwart and unafraid to live, defend and advance our noble Catholic ideals before a world that is rapidly sinking to the depths of moral depravity. Yes, it is virtuous to be meek but there is a time for everything. Looking back at history, the Church has been preserved in dangerous times by saintly men and women of courageous and aggressive personalities like St Paul, St Athanasius, St Ignatius of Loyola, Pope St Pius V and St Catherine of Sienna, among many others. Where the meek and apologetic would have failed, these Catholics knew how to conquer. Our Church is in serious need of such Catholics. However, any Catholic who seeks to embark on this road, must first despise all worldly prosperity, and be afraid of no manner of worldly adversity; hypocrites need not apply.


God's blessings and peace.

Dn. Joseph A. Pasquella