Magisteriology

These studies have not pointed out these errors and inadequacies in order to discredit the hierarchical magisterium but rather to make possible a realistic magisteriology that will properly reflect the true nature of the teaching and witnessing of the Church.

It is also a necessary corrective today for the absolute tutiorism [rigorism] implicit in much of the oracular magisteriology which still abides at every level of the church.

Here was the clearest statement yet of the “Magisteriology” of the dissenting theologians: the teaching of Humanae Vitae was not in fact morally binding, and it was the great task of theologians to help ordinary laypeople to understand this.