Church; or who are Infidels—that is, who no longer have nor profess any Christian faith at all; and 2. All those who by their own fault are Schismatics—that is, who have renounced, not the doctrine of the Church, but their obedience to her, or to her Supreme Head, the Pope,
68. Who are excluded from the Catholic Church?
Excommunicates—that is, those who, as degenerate members, have been expelled from the communion of the Church.
69. Are not those also who are heretics without their own fault separated from the Catholic Church?
Such as are heretics without their own fault, but sincerely search after the truth, and in the meantime do the will of God to the best of their knowledge, although they are separated from the body, remain, however, united to the soul of the Church, and partake of her graces.
Even those who are heretics without their own fault are deprived, though not of all, at least of many, graces and blessings of our holy religion; as, for instance, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the true Lord's Supper, Sacramental Absolution, the Holy Sacraments administered to the dying, etc. Therefore, we should fervently pray for heretics, and by sincere charity, and an edifying life, contribute towards their con: version.
70. Who is a heretic by his own fault?
A heretic by his own fault is, 1. He who knows the Catholic Church, and is convinced of her truth, but does not join her; and 2. He who could know her, if he would candidly search, but, through indifference and other culpable motives, neglects to do so.
71. Does it become us to judge whether this one or that is outside the Church by his own fault or not?
No; for such judgment belongs to God, who alone is 'the searcher of hearts and reins' (Ps. vii. 10), and 'judges the secrets of men' (Rom. ii. 16).
On this subject consult 'The Sincere Christian Instructed' (Appendix). By the Right Rev. George Hay.
