The Cathedra or Bishop's Throne

 

The photo above is of the “Cathedra” or “bishop's throne” in the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.  It's notable that this “throne” is intentionally positioned as the “highest” seat in the sanctuary, and of course within the church building itself. 

Such “thrones” were not used by church leaders within the Christian church until sometime in the fourth century (CE/AD). At that time, they were adopted from the use of such “thrones” as was commonly practiced by “worldly” emperors and kings.  As such, this custom as used by church leaders (i.e. those mere mortal beings who were called “bishops”) didn't begin until at least three hundred years after the passion and death of Jesus and the apostles. 

There is no reference to such ecclesiastical and/or episcopal “thrones” in the New Testament and/or in the writings of the earliest Christian authors. 

The “throne of God” as referenced in both the Old and New Testaments is very different from what might seem to be a presumptuous (possibly even arrogant?) adoption of such “royalty mimicking thrones” by mere mortal beings (vis-à-vis, by any type of “pharisaical religious leaders”).  

In contrast to God’s throne, “such otherwise earthly thrones” could be seen to be those used by mere mortals (those that are perhaps illegitimately constructed to seat mere humans who have no biblical right to do ascend them in this life—especially by those who claim to be servants to the poor and the marginalized). 

Jesus constantly criticized the arrogance of the Pharisees.  Unfortunately it seems such “religious figures” are still very much alive in our own day and time, and they still use symbols of power and domination to lord their corruption over the “religious” masses.    

Is it possible that in light of this we might need to make substantial and radical reforms within our Roman Catholic Church (as well as within other church communions who follow similar traditions)?

Is the use of the “Cathedra” defensible in light of the preaching and ministry of Jesus as found in the Gospels?

Can a bishop be seated on such a throne and remain faithful to the following words of Jesus?

“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.  But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.  For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-44).

Hmmm . . . 🧐

In the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke we find the following words: 

“God has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly” (see Luke 1:53).

I’ll stick with that!