Avant-propos - Studia Moralia

THE BASIC GOODS THEORY AND REVISIONISM 179
Relationship between Theologians and the Magisterium
The BGT and the Juridical Model
At the heart of the current “crisis of faith in the Church” 21 according
to GRISEZ, is the “cancer” of dissenting theologians. 22
This state of affairs is due, in large part, to an improper relationship
between the magisterium (pope and bishops) and theologians
in the magisterial process. To heal this cancer, GRISEZ
proposes a juridical or high court model for this relationship
that follows from a hierarchical ecclesiological model. 23 There
are three features to this “high court” model. “The pope and other
bishops should first listen together to theological debate, then
dismiss the theologians and engage in their own reflection.” 24 In
this way, the role and function of theologians in relation to the
magisterium becomes clear. Just as the arguments of the advocates
representing each side of a case settle nothing, so too, this
model “would make clear to everyone the quite limited and relative
value of all theological arguments.” 25 The act of evaluating
and judging those arguments is reserved for the magisterium ‘in
chambers.’ Second, “theologians and others invited to make
their appropriate contributions to the theological debate should
be instructed clearly regarding what is expected of them.” 26 In
the case of disputed theological viewpoints, “both sides should
be given equal and adequate opportunities to present their cases.”
27 Finally, “to assure collegial solidarity in magisterial judgments,
those which concern disputed questions ordinarily
should be made in a collegial manner as the outcome of such a
process.” 28
21 GRISEZ, “How to Deal with Theological Dissent” 443.
22 Ibid. 456.
23 Ibid. 465.
24 Ibid.
25 Ibid.
26 Ibid.
27 Ibid.
28 Ibid.