37 The like disposition and the same ordershould prevail in the Christian society by so much the more that the politicalprudence of the Pontiff embraces diverse and multiform things, for it is hischarge not only to rule the Church, but generally so to regulate the actions ofChristian citizens that these may be in apt conformity to their hope of gainingeternal salvation. Whence it is clear that, in addition to the completeaccordance of thought and deed, the faithful should follow the practicalpolitical wisdom of the ecclesiastical authority. Now, the administration ofChristian affairs immediately under the Roman Pontiff appertains to the bishops,who, although they attain not to the summit of pontifical power, arenevertheless truly princes in the ecclesiastical hierarchy; and as each one ofthem administers a particular church, they are "as master-workers... inthe spiritual edifice,"(36) and they have members of the clergy to sharetheir duties and carry out their decisions. Every one has to regulate his modeof conduct according to this constitution of the Church, which it is not in thepower of any man to change. Consequently, just as in the exercise of their episcopal authority the bishops ought to be united with the apostolic see soshould the members of the clergy and the laity live in close union with theirbishops. Among the prelates, indeed, one or other there may be affording scopeto criticism either in regard to personal conduct or in reference to opinions byhim entertained about points of doctrine; but no private person may arrogate tohimself the office of judge which Christ our Lord has bestowed on that one alonewhom He placed in charge of His lambs and of His sheep. Let every one bear inmind that most wise teaching of Gregory the Great: "Subjects should beadmonished not rashly to judge their prelates, even if they chance to see themacting in a blameworthy manner, lest, justly reproving what is wrong, they beled by pride into greater wrong. They are to be warned against the danger of setting themselves up in audaciousopposition to the superiors whose shortcomings they may notice. Should,therefore, the superiors really have committed grievous sins, their inferiors,penetrated with the fear of God, ought not to refuse them respectful submission.The actions of superiors should not be smitten by the sword of the word, evenwhen they are rightly judged to have deserved censure."(37)
Source: Sapientiae Christianae (Vatican.va)