Pope Francis—Philip Lawler.
PatrickCoffin.media on Mar 13, 2018 American bishops of recent vintage have shown little interest in the use of their legitimate teaching authority. When they teach, loyal Catholics obey. But when they do not teach—when they remain silent in the face of grave abuses—how should a loyal Catholic layman react? Our faith teaches respect for the office, not the individual. If the bishop neglects the duties of his office, then deference toward him is misplaced. A loyal Catholic should protect the bishop’s office by demanding that the bishop fulfills it. Failing that, a Catholic who loves the Church must demand that at a bare minimum his bishop refrains from debasing his office or bargaining away his authority to preserve his own comfort. Even if today’s bishop is unworthy of his office, his authority should be protected for the sake of his successors.
www.catholicculture.org/commentary/the-city-gates.cfm