According to Church law, those engaged in sacred disciplines (theology, philosophy, canon law, Church history) have the freedom of inquiry and expressing their opinion on matters in which they have expertise, while observing submission to the magisterium (the pope and the bishops) the teaching authority of the Catholic Church (Canon 218).
The Second Vatican Council clearly established the principle of academic freedom of research and expression. Equally, it pointed out the limitations of that freedom ("Gravissimam educationis," 1-2). This freedom is for those clerics or laity who are in the field of sacred study. Expression must be expressed prudently whether in writing, conferences and such, or in teaching. Above all, it is a freedom which may be exercised only with due submission to the magisterium of the Church (Canons 747-755).
Canon 218 becomes more complicated. This freedom is not an absolute right and is to avoid excessive interpretations. It is restricted to what is just. That which is unjust is never a right.
The Vatican II document "Gaudium et spes" notes the contribution of the secular sciences to Christian formation.
While no one can be forced to accept the Catholic faith against his or her conscience, once baptized or received into the Church, a person cannot choose to accept or reject a specific article of faith as stated in the Profession of Faith.
A qualification of academic freedom requires that a person possess expertise in their field.
Further, this right states that people are to observe "submission" to the Church's magisterium concerning faith or morals declared by the pope or bishops (Canon 752).
Nonetheless, disagreement with a particular teaching may be appropriate in a specific situation, and in fact, may require the duty to inform the Magisterium of difficulties in an irrefutable teaching, in the way it is presented, or how it can or cannot be supported or followed.
Editor's note: This series about the rights and obligations of the Christian faithful, as set forth in canon (Church) law, has been written for the Catholic News Herald by Mercy Sister Jeanne-Margaret McNally, a distinguished authority on canon law, frequent lecturer at universities and dioceses, and a psychologist for the Tribunal of the Diocese of Charlotte and judge in the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Miami.