Is the Catholic Hierarchy a government or a religion?

Answer 1

Both.

Disturbing.

Answer 2

To answer this question, you have to ask what is the nature of government. In my opinion, it consists of four elements:

1) The identity of the people and the land area to be governed. (Boundaries)

2) A method of creating laws. (Legislature)

3) A method of judging adherence to the laws. (Judiciary)

4) A method of dealing with law infringements. (Executive)

I think that, within the boundaries of Vatican City itself, the Catholic Hierarchy meets all of the essential elements. However, in the outside world, at least three of the elements are lacking, and it is more of a religion, although it is a religion with tremendous political influence in some places.

1) Vatican City has defined boundaries. Outside Vatican City, the Church Hierarchy's authority is secondary to the government of the nation in question.

2) It also has a legislature. Legislative power is vested in the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, led by a president. Members are cardinals appointed by the pope for terms of five years. (See Wikipedia for more information.) Again, outside the boundaries of Vatican City, Church law is subjugated by the law of the land; there are no "Catholic" nations in the sense that there are Muslim nations. Although Catholicism is the "National Religion" of some nations, it does not make the laws of any nation other than Vatican City.

3) The judicial system consists of three tribunals — the Apostolic Signatura, the Sacra Rota Romana, and the Apostolic Penitentiary. The legal system is based on canon, or ecclesiastical, law. If Canon Law is not applicable, special laws of the territory apply. These are often modeled on Italian provisions. (Wikipedia.) Thus, even within Vatican City, the judicial system is dependent on other nations (Italy). Outside the Vatican, the Church has no such authority.

4) In 1929, the Vatican and Italy executed the Lateran Treaty. Under this treaty, the Italian government handles the prosecution and detention of criminal suspects. The Vatican also has its own military (the Swiss Guard), although it is a very small and mostly ceremonial force. The church wields no such force outside its boundaries.

Based on the above four criteria, I believe that the Catholic Hierarchy is a government within Vatican City and merely a religion (albeit influential on many governments) outside the Vatican walls.

Answer 3

The Catholic hierarchy governs, instructs, and serves the 1.1 billion Catholic believers around the world.

A few people also run the tiny government of the tiny country of Vatican City.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

It is the government of the religion. As for how much the Catholic Church has a role in the government of any given country is up to the secular authorities and how much they allow the clergy to control things.

Answer 5

It serves both as a governing body over the church in admisinstrative roles, and alos doubles as a source of religious instruction. The hierarchy alos forms the magisterium, the churches moral compass and teaching center; as well as a governing body. You need structure if you've got 1 billion+ members on every continent but Antarctica.

Answer 6

They are both. they are Severn government and a head of a church. up until The early to mid 18th century all of Italy was Called Pappel states ran by the pope. until the Italian revaluation when the Italian army drove the popes army (which I believe was Ausrtian) to the Vatican as we know it today.