Catholics claim Christ constituted his church as a visible society with a hierarchical structure. And as Dominus Iesus teaches, this society “subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him” (16). Catholics also claim membership in this visible and hierarchical society is necessary.
And yet Jesus’ teaching in Luke 9:49-50 seems to contradict this belief. Jesus commands the apostles to not forbid a person from casting out demons in his name just because that person is not numbered among their group: “Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you” (9:50). If Jesus forbids hindering someone outside the...













