One deep problem facing the Catholic Church is the question of how its teaching authority is understood today. While Rome continues to teach as if its ecclesiastical authority were unchanged from the days before Vatican II (1962-1965), the majority of Catholics take a far more independent line, and increasingly understand themselves as the final arbiters of decision-making, especially on ethical questions. This book explores the historical background and present ecclesial situation, explaining the dramatic shift in attitude on the part of contemporary Catholics in the US and Europe.