Part One - Hearing the word of God He sends out his word to the earth. (Psalm147:15)

1212. The role of the Magisterium In the Acts of the Apostles we read that the early Christians ‘devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers’ (Acts2:42). We continue today to live as God’s people, as the Church of Christ, in fidelity to the word of God. The task of safeguarding the understanding of the word of God is given to the teaching authority of the Church, the bishops in union with the Pope. Their duty is to serve the word, by teaching it, listening to it attentively, protecting it conscientiously and explaining it faithfully (Dei Verbum10). The teaching authority, or Magisterium, seeks to ensure that new insights are faithful to the word of God. The Second Vatican Council explains: ‘It is clear, therefore, that Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture and the teaching authority of the Church, in accord with God’s most wise design, are so linked and joined together that one cannot stand without the others, and that they all together, each in its own way under the action of the one Holy Spirit, contribute effectively to the salvation of souls.’ (Dei Verbum10)