Discussing authority in the Church, especially in consecrated life, is no easy task. In our contemporary world, the word is often associated with imposition, verticality, or power. However, Christian tradition offers us an essential distinction that helps shed light on this topic: the difference between potestas and auctoritas.

Potestas: the skeleton of community life

Potestas refers to juridical, institutional, and normative power. It is received through appointments or office visits, and is essential for communities to function with order, clear rules, and defined responsibilities. A
local superior, for example, receives from the congregation not only a mission, but also legitimate power to make decisions, organize, correct, and establish norms. Without this dimension, fraternal life would risk falling into arbitrariness.

Auctoritas: the soul that inspires

Auctoritas  goes beyond positions. It is not granted, it is earned. It arises from the witness of life, from consistency, from lived love, and from the ability to listen and accompany. Likewise, it is the strength of one who inspires confidence and moves others to follow, not because they “should,” but because they want to walk behind someone who reflects the face of Christ. Jesus himself held no political office or power structures, but he spoke “with authority, and not as the scribes” (cf. Mt 7:29).

The auctoritas is, in short, the soul that gives life to the institutional skeleton of the potestas.

Two inseparable realities

Both dimensions are necessary. A community with potestas without auctoritas runs the risk of authoritarianism, forced obedience, or normative coldness. But a community with auctoritas without potestas falls into confusion: everyone inspires, but no one decides.
Therefore, the evangelical challenge is to allow potestas to be permeated and transformed by  auctoritas.

Gospel Teachings

Jesus clearly distinguishes these realities. He recognizes the potestas of civil and religious authorities: “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). But his true power springs from the interior authority of his self-sacrificing life.
Furthermore, he redefines authority in terms of service: “Whoever wants to be first must be the servant of all” (Mark 9:35). Evangelical authority is not privilege, but humble service.

When exercised with auctoritas, obedience ceases to be submission and becomes joyful trust. It is a free act that recognizes, beyond the individual, the will of God.

Healing wounds and renewing fraternal life

Many wounds in community life stem from a mistaken understanding of authority: impositions without listening, arbitrary decisions, obedience lived in fear.
The path to healing lies in recovering the Gospel face of authority: listening before deciding, correcting with mercy, inspiring by example. Only in this way does obedience become an experience of freedom and faith.

Specific applications

• For those who hold office : live it as humble service, without relying solely on the norm, but earning auctoritas every day.
• For the community : recognize the silent authority of those who, although without positions, are role models for their dedicated lives.
• For fraternal life : potestas orders, auctoritas humanizes; potestas organizes, auctoritas fertile.

Consecrated life requires both potestas and auctoritas. But in light of the Gospel, the essential thing is that potestas be permeated by auctoritas.

True authority in the Church is not measured by office, but by the ability to serve, to reflect Christ, and to build communion. Those who exercise evangelical authority do not seek to be obeyed, but to lead their sisters and brothers to listen to and obey God himself.

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