
That Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., absolutely hates polar bears.
Seriously, though, I think this is going on my reading list very soon.
In the Preface, Cardinal Dulles explains why he wrote the book, "In recent years I have experienced difficulty in finding a clear, concise, up-to-date manual on this subject, even though there exists an abundance of literature on different aspects of the teaching office. ... Most students, not to mention members of the general public, are very unclear about the respective authority of various teachers in the Church. Very few understand the different types and degrees of authority attaching to various types of documents. Most of the faithful are likewise confused about the biblical sources and the historical development of the Magisterium as a normative organ of doctrinal authority."