When Shepherds are Wolves

Documenting the deep roots of Reformation thought in the catholic tradition, Schaff quotes John von Gerson, the Chancellor of the University of Paris (d. 1489) who insisted that the apostle be heeded when he says ‘Let every sould be subject to the higher powers…’ But he insists that this is not an absolute requirement and when real authorities so abuse their responsibilities, duty to them ceases. He says, “I conclude then that obedience to superiors ceases to be a duty, where their works are openly bad and a source of scandal to the whole Church; where the shepherds are shearers; not sheep, but wolves; not sober, but drunken; not prelates, that give their lives for the sheep, but Pilates, that serve the lusts of others; casting forth their net, not to catch souls, but money.” (from De reformatione ecclesiae in concilio universali, cited in The Principle of Protestantism, 46).