Cardinal Schwarzenberg’s work is chiefly directed against Archbishop Manning.(88) Hitherto the infallibilists, to avoid pushing their theory into sheer absurdity, had appended the condition of _ex cathedrâ_, which everybody could interpret more or less stringently according to his own view, and theologians had actually given twenty-five different explanations of what was required for an _ex cathedrâ_ decision. In order to get out of this labyrinth, Manning has propounded a simpler theory. Everything according to him depends on the Pope’s intention; whenever he “intends to require the assent of the whole Church,” he is infallible.(89) Schwarzenberg points out with pungent irony to what monstrous consequences this would lead. He recalls the saying of Boniface VIII. that the Pope holds all rights locked up in his breast. And thus it must be assumed on Manning’s theory that the Pope holds in his own mind all doctrines present and future, and draws from this internal treasure-house under divine inspiration what he wishes to reveal to the world, so that infallibility becomes inspiration. Has it occurred to the Cardinal that this is precisely the personal opinion of the very man who has now, for the sake of his own infallibility, resolved to plunge the Church into an internal conflict, of which no one can see the end? It is then further pointed out that, if the new dogma with its consequences prevails, all Governments will put themselves in an attitude of self-defence against the Church. Bishops as well as Councils cease to be any necessary part of the _magisterium_ of the Church, and there is no longer any need for the distinct assent of the Episcopate; the only office left them is to praise and accept with thanks every decision of the Pope’s. Perhaps they may still be allowed to give their advice before he decides, but they have nothing to say to the decision itself or after it, but only to obey and promulgate the papal revelations. THIRTY-NINTH LETTER.