“Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.'”

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Jesus speaks of the age-old problem of giving legitimate authority to sinners in a post-lapsarian world. Those who authoritatively pass on the truth ought to live by it; but even when they don’t it doesn’t make the truth they pass on illegitimate. Moses, the scribes and Pharisees, and now the pope and bishops who sit on “Moses’ seat” all have a fallen human nature. Jesus knows this. He gave apostolic authority to Judas who betrayed Him and Peter who denied Him. There should be sadness but no surprise when a prelate who possesses such authority falls short in his personal life, or even in his adeptness at carrying out of his mission. Since Christ is the invisible Head of His mystical body the Church, we must be mindful with St. Paul that “all things work together for the good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Rm 8:28).