Catholic Church authority debated in Croatia amid SSPX controversy

Two Croatian theological pieces examine the Catholic Church’s authority structure. Fra Zlatko Špehar argues that when religious authority or liturgy separates from obedience to God, it threatens church unity, citing the recent Vatican statement on unauthorized ordinations by the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) and warning of schismatic consequences. He references biblical warnings from Hosea and Matthew and the Vatican’s message that episcopal consecrations without papal mandate constitute a break from the Church’s visible unity.

Another article reflects on the foundational role of the apostles Peter and Paul, emphasizing that the Church rests on divine grace rather than human perfection. It quotes scriptural passages to illustrate how the Church’s “stone” is built upon flawed human beings empowered by God’s mercy.