The Church does not claim to be a democracy; and no Catholic resents the fact that he is not allowed to carry freedom to the extent of license. No sane person would want the privilege of denying absolute truth.

Furthermore, it is not for the individual to choose the type of government he would like in the church. The type of government was chosen by the Christ Himself and was a government based upon authority in teaching and discipline.

Christ Himself taught with authority, changing even the Mosaic Law. Matthew 5:20-23.

He conferred this same authority on His Apostles:

"And whatever thou shalt bind upon earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever thou shall loose upon earth shall be loosed also in heaven." St. Matthew 16:19

Likewise St. Paul wrote to the Galatians:

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel to you other than that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema." Galatians 1:8

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring THIS doctrine, do not receive Him." II John 1:10

Catholics, of course, do enjoy freedom of thought. This freedom is limited only by absolute truth. No one is free to say that the sum of two plus two equals five.

So, too, in the government of the Church; the Church was founded upon Peter as the rock as we shall see in another question.