Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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ECCLESIASTICAL OBEDIENCE

The duty of Catholics to obey the precepts of the church. The gravity of the obligation depends on the gravity of the matter prescribed. The traditional Precepts of the Church are merely the outstanding obligations that Catholics are bound to obey. Actually the whole common law of the Church obliges the faithful in conscience, depending on their state of life and the intention of the Church in making the various prescriptions.