44. What is an ecumenical council?

An ecumenical council is a conference of the bishops of the whole Christian Church convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice.  All the bishops are invited, although all are not required to attend.  The Pope need not attend, but he must ratify any definitions which come from the Council.

43. What is the difference between the ordinary and extraordinary magisterium?

Ordinary magisterium:  the day to day teaching and preaching of the bishops in union with the Pope on faith and morals.  E.g. the Holy Father’s Wednesday audience, or bishop’s homilies

Extraordinary magisterium:  special teaching actions of the College of Bishops and Pope on faith and morals.  E.g. Definitions of an Ecumenical Council; Solemn definitions of the Pope alone when he speaks “ex cathedra”

42. What kinds of teachings do we regard as infallible?

Those teachings on faith and morals.

41. What is the difference between infallible teaching and authentic teaching?

I think the distinction he is trying to make with infallible/authentic is that the infallible teachings are the ones which are on faith and morals, ex cathedra; and the authentic teachings are also true teachings of the Church that we should pay attention to, but which are not infallible. 

Four levels of the teachings of the Magisterium: 
1.  Solemn definitions of the content of Revelation 
2.  Definitive pronouncements related to truths of faith 
3.  Nondefinitive declarations promoting the understanding of revealed truth 
4.  Prudential and contingent applications of doctrine.

40. Why do we call it a college of bishops and not a federation of bishops?

They were called as one.  The bishops together as a college teach infallibly.  Without the Pope, there is no College of Bishops.  Each individual bishop can go astray.  A federation is a group of equals working collaboratively.  They do not speak with one voice as in the case of the College.

39. What is the Magisterium and who makes it up?

The Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Church.  It is made up of the college of bishops united with the Pope.

38. How does the Pope relate to the college of Bishops?

He is the head of the college of Bishops.

37. What is the Pope?

The Bishop of Rome.  He is the successor to Peter, who was given the keys to the kingdom and was placed in authority.  The Pope has primacy over the other bishops.  His ministry includes ministry to the local church, leadership of the apostles (the college of bishops), and leadership of the Church as a whole.  He is the Vicar of Christ.

36. What is the college of Bishops?

The bishops in union with the Pope that together teach to the whole of the universal Church.  One body who speaks.

35. What do we call the successors of the apostles today?

Bishops; “Your Eminence”