Schism is a refusal to obey the superiors placed over us by Almighty God through His holy Church. Jesus appointed Peter and his successors in the papacy as the rules of the Catholic Church. (Matthew 16; John 21) In turn the Pope appoints the Bishop of our diocese. The Bishop of our diocese appoints the pastor of our parish. We have a duty of obedience to all three. Those in missionary territories have a similar duty of obedience to the missionaries sent by the Church. And those in Religious Orders and Communities must obey their superiors. A refusal to obey is an act of schism, which Pope Pius XII tells us removes us from the Catholic Church. (Mystici Corporis)