For Christians, the authority is the Word of God. We need to read the Bible and follow what the Bible says. If a denomination is not following the Bible as the final authority, then they are not teaching true Christianity as proclaimed in the Book.
The Catholic Church does officially accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God, but not as the final authority. Tradition, along with the pronouncements of popes and councils is considered equally authoritative. There are, however, many points in which the tradition of the Catholic church is not in agreement with the Bible. God will never contradict His own words. The Bible gives us a stern warning about adding or taking away from the teachings of the Bible. Below are some of the differences between Biblical doctrine (words of God) and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
-Anonymous