such and such a matter is to be looked upon as ex cathedrâ.
Here it must be evident to every one that from this point Dr. Schulte's way of viewing his subject and my own must part company in their further development, viz. as to what is and is not an infallible doctrine uttered by the Pope.
He lays down three notes, of which three any one alone is enough to make known a Papal utterance as infallible, and therefore unalterable, as being ex cathedrâ.
I, on the contrary, having regard to the words and the import of the definition of the Vatican Council, and also bearing in mind previous scientific expositions of theologians on the subject, lay down two such notes, both of which, however, must always be found together; whilst to the third note I attribute only an auxiliary significance.
As was to be expected, Dr. Schulte, in consequence, naturally finds a great number of Papal ex cathedrâ utterances; I, in accordance with the Theological Faculty, find only a few.
Schulte says; on the contrary, where there is a supreme authority, it is quite intelligible and reasonable on the part of the Pope's subordinates in matters on which a doubt might arise of the applicability of the Pope's intention to a particular case, although in the first instance the intention was clearly expressed.
(Of course Bishop Fessler is here understood as meaning that this fresh explanation of the definition must be provided with all the marks which are necessary to prove the presence of a real definition; just as in a will any alteration or explanation forming part of a will, must be attested by the same witnesses and with the same formalities as were required for the original document.—Translator.)
