9. I admit, however, the 'decisive passage' itself does require some remarks to enable persons thereby thoroughly to understand it; for it is with this passage that Dr. Schulte commences that erroneous exposition of the Vatican definition, which I have undertaken to examine and refute; it becomes then my duty to open out and disclose the sources of his erroneous view and his misrepresentations; and this I can best do by explaining at once what is the right sense of the definition, and so letting every one see when and where the author of the pamphlet under examination has deviated from the path of truth.
The definition asserts that the Roman Pontiff, by virtue of the divine assistance, possesses the Infallibility promised to the Church in his doctrinal teaching only when he speaks ex cathedrâ. This is the expression used for centuries, and for that very reason preserved in speaking of definitions of the faith.
But as this expression ex cathedrâ—or, Anglice, 'to speak from the chair of teaching'—is not generally intelligible, as it is a technical expression drawn from theological science, the Council itself added a short explanation of it. It says it means, 'When he (i.e. the Pope), in the exercise of his teaching office as pastor and instructor (doctor) of all the faithful, by virtue of his highest apostolical power, defines, as to be held by the whole Church, doctrine that regards faith or morals.'[1]
- ↑ The Latin of these last words is as follows: Doctrinam de fide vel moribus definit;' i.e. issues his final decision that a certain doctrine is to be regarded as an essential part of the Catholic faith or of Catholic morality, and, to be maintained as such by the universal Church.
