brings forward these three) are anything but valid or perfect proofs of his assertion, that Popes, in their infallible definitions, or utterances ex cathedrâ, have set forth as the doctrine of the Church, or de fide, these propositions: 1st, that Popes have never erred in their constitutions; 2d, that they have never overstepped the limits of their power; or, 3d, claimed for them selves the rights of princes. If Dr. Schulte has not proved this, as he most certainly has not, then his as sertion falls to the ground, 'that a Catholic, in accepting the de fide definition of the Vatican Council "on the Infallible teaching office of the Roman Pontiff," is bound to believe that the Popes have never erred in their constitutions; that they have never overstepped the limits of their power; have never claimed for themselves the rights of princes.' Here, however, I must take care not to be misunderstood. I say only that a man is not bound by a definition de fide of the Vatican Council to believe all this besides; which is what Dr. Schulte, on untenable grounds, imagines that he discovers to be contained in this particular de fide definition.[1]
Such is the poor outcome of the fundamental proposition on which Dr. Schulte has erected his whole edifice in this Pamphlet.
- ↑ What should be the way in which a Catholic should conduct him self as regards these propositions of the Papal Brief, Multiplices inter, June 10, 1851, and also as regards the Syllabus. no. xxiii. (even if they are not doctrinal definitions), see above, 9 (3), and compare Ballerini De vi ac Ratione Primatûs Romanorum Pontificum, Veronæ, 1766, cap. xv. § 10.
