New-York tribune., 1870-02-01


been only an intoleroble usurpaton.
II is pretended by the advocates OF Papai Inral-
bility that the theory finds support i'll the command
oil Christ TO ST. Peter that after his conversion he
should strengthen the brethren" But this inter
probation is at war with the universal tradition Of
the Church for the first centuries. II is there
fore, incompatible with the oath taken by every
priest and bishop. 1t contradiets all the laws of
Biblical Interpretation, and is refuted by long
series of historical facts Not single Father of the
Church has thus understood the passage. In the re-
marks upon it by ST. Cyprian, by st. Hilary, by St.
Cbrysostom, by st. Augustine, by Palladus. by ST.
Leo the Great, and many others it is always taken
for granted that tho words refer to the individual
faith OF ST. Peter and not to the of his suoces
The first time that any claim for the See Of
Rome was founded on this passage, was in the year
ESQ. when Pope Agathon argued from it against the
condemnation Of his predecessor HOnorius by the
Council Of Constantinople. The spurious lsdore
aftcrward ascTibed the and arbitrary interpre-
tation Of Agathon to the most ancient Popes. II,
moreover, the words in question endowed all the
POpes with the prerogatve of Infslbility, IL would
be necessary to show that of them had ever fall
len into error in matters of faith Butno person can
seriously maintain such proposition The very re-
verse is too palpably true. Even Peter himself was
reproached by Paul for duplicity. Pope TosInus ap
proved profession of faith which denied original
sin. Pope Lberius subscribed an Arian formulary,
and entered into communion with the Arians. Pope
Honorius helped to propagate the Monohelite heresy
by his approval Of an erroneous formulary. Tho
same Pope condemned for heresy by the Sixth
Hcumenical Council. Tho condemnation ac-
cepted by the whole Church without opposition.
Ills successors acQuiesced in the decree With
single exception, that of Anastasus, priest of the
Church of Rome no one uttered word in his de-
feuse. No offered the plea in his behalf that the
POpes were infallible in matters of faith 1t is GER
tain that at the time in question the idea of such
Pspal Infalhbility was utterly unknown to the Chris
tian world.
Tho doctrine is founded on the principle that no
one can judge the Supreme See 1t was argued that
any who could fall into error in matters of faith
liable to be judged, brought to trial before
ecclesiastical tribunal. But il Pope cannot be
Judged this privilege must be founded on another
privilege, namely, that of infallibility. Now tho
first of these statements was entirely unknown to
the Church. for the first FIVE centuries 1t in
troduoed under the shadow of fiction. the history
of which is known. The Gcumenical Councils of
Constance and of Basic more than once condemned
the assertion that no Judge the Supreme See.
They declared the opposite doctrine. namely, that
the Pope. as well as every private Christian, was
amenable to General Council, in matters Of faith.
The Council of Constance has been recognized by
the POpes themselves, no less than by the whole
Catholic Church, as genuine Gcumencal
Council. The pOpes. Martin ", Eugenius w..
Nicholas v. and Plus *, have expressly recognized
the decrees of the Fourth and Fifth Sessions of this
Council. which treat of the supremacy of the Gcu-
menical Council over every Pope. These DEGREES
met with no opposition in the Council. For more
than thirty years. they were universally accepted
without objection in the Church. 1t only after
a considerable lapse of time that they called in
question by certain Roman Cardinals, as Torque-
nada, and afterwaTd, by Cajetan. But when the
Jesuit theOlogans at last took mp the subject they
were bold enough TO deny 10 the Council of Con-
stance the rank Of an Gcumenical Council. This
step. strange to say, has been followed by come of
the bishops, although Pope Martin V. issued Bull
expressly denOuncing the opponents of this Council
as heretics. Hence the Infallibity of the Pope
not DC established as article of faith without
tTampling on the antecedents OF the Church. First,
the Council of Constance must be rejected. Next.
must ropudiate the Council Of Basle prior to It's
being transferred TO Ferrara, period during which
Its Rcumcnical character was acknowledged by the
Roman See. Finally, we must reject the Bulls Of the
Popes which have recognized the DEGREES of these
Councils. The doctrine Of the Catholic Church
would thus become a chaos 1t could not DO main
taiued within the fed OF the Church, except by
eraint aud force. On the outside theoogians would
Here is practical consequence of the admission
OF the doctrine, which cannot be lost sight Of 1t
has always been principle OF the Popes dating
from the thirteenth century, that every Christian
government Is bound 10 its power for the sup
preston oil those who do not profess the orthodox
faith aud not to allow them the public ayowal and
free exercise ofany other religion tho Infalbility
of the Pope is declared as a dogma it becomes por-
ton Of divine truth. and all Catholic States will be
Obliged to suppress all religions bat the Catholic and
far possible, to extrpate every other Christian
society from their dominions Moro than fifty Popes
have availed themselves Of the power of the In
QUESTION. 1t is not long since 1t suspended in
the Roman States by tho action of tho intermediate
government. Even lately boasts have been made of
its utility aud moral character. the occasion Of
canopiziug certain Inquisltors For many centuries
tho Pores have inculcated the principle that the OBJ
stinate denial of an article of faith capital
crime. A second ofense was TO be punished with
death even in case Of repentance. The Infallibity
of tho Pope. if established as dogma would extend
10 the domain of morals, as well as Of faith 1t
would follow that no Pope has ever announced An
Objectionable principle in morality, over uttered
decision contrary to the ethics Of the Gospel ever
ordained MEASURE incompatible with the rules Of
that divine law Hence, no Catholic could maintain
that the establishment of the Inquisiion grave
orror OF that the laws enacted by the Popes for its
,nanagemont have ever been immoral
The doctrine wss announced by Gregory VII. that
soyorei gns and states were subject to the See Of
Rome Its dominion extends to all civil govern
rDents. Tie declaration of Papal InfaiblY would
eonGr1n this doctrine. 1t would be erected into
article II f-ith for every Catholic. 1t would
DO taught in the catechisns that the Pope