The Purpose of the Papacy by John S. Vaughan
page 50 of 95 (52%)
page 50 of 95 (52%)
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Pope has no power over the Moral Law, except to assert it, to
interpret it and to enforce it. 6. From this, it is at once realised how restricted, after all, is the infallible power of the Pope, in spite of the alarm its definition excited in the Protestant camp, in 1870. Still, it must be clearly understood that whether speaking _ex cathedrĂ¢_ or not, the Pope is always the Vicar of Christ and the divinely appointed Head of His Church, and that we, as dutiful children, are bound both to listen to him with the utmost attention and respect, and to show him ready and heartfelt obedience. Anyone who should limit his submission to the Pope's infallible utterances is truly a rebel at heart, and no true Catholic. The Holy Scripture is far from contemplating the exceptional cases of infallible definitions when it lays down the command: "Remember them, who have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow". And, "_obey_ them that have the rule over you, and _submit_ yourselves, for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief". The margin in the Protestant Version (observes Cardinal Newman) reads "those who are your _guides_," and the word may also be translated "leaders". Well, whether as rulers or as guides and leaders, whichever word be right, they are to be _obeyed_. 7. From this it is evident enough that assent is of two kinds. There is firstly the assent of Divine Faith; and secondly there is the assent of religious obedience. Neither can be dispensed with. Both are binding. All we affirm is that the one is not the other, and that the |
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