[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

Not so, because individual believers make up the church, the body of Christ. We are to take our disputes to other believers as we are to judge disputes between believers.

So we believers (excluding Catholics?) have the authority to judge disputes between believers, as those believers have authority to judge disputes with us, or with other believers.

So how, exactly, do disputes get resolved?

As I said, this approach makes the Lord's command to take our disputes "to the church" meaningless, since disputes would be unresolvable.

[metmom]

So we believers (excluding Catholics?) have the authority to judge disputes between believers, as those believers have authority to judge disputes with us, or with other believers.

Do Catholics take classes on how to put words in other people's mouths?

Believers are instructed to take their dispute first to the brother with whom they have the dispute. If he won't listen, then the believer is commanded to take 2-3 other believers with him to try to settle the dispute.

If that doesn't work, then he is to take it before the local body of believers.

Who has the authority to resolve disputes? Those who are spiritual. The answer which is found in Scripture.

[metmom]

So we believers (excluding Catholics?) have the authority to judge disputes between believers, as those believers have authority to judge disputes with us, or with other believers.

You know, the average Spirit filled believer has enough guidance from the Holy SPirit and Scripture to settle disputes without some hierarchy of clergy holding their hand.

Honestly, is the nothing that the average Catholic is capable of doing without being told by the Church that they're not good enough, or capable, or whatever? The Catholic church clearly doesn't trust its adherents to have the discernment of an ice cube.