Letters From Rome on the CouncilDöllinger, Johann Joseph Ignaz von
History
Letters From Rome on the Council
Döllinger, Johann Joseph Ignaz von
Popes -- Infallibility; Vatican Council (1st : 1869-1870 : Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano)
Meanwhile some differences have arisen among the majority, branching off
at last into what may be called a middle party. Even Pie of Poitiers is no
longer altogether in accord with Manning and Deschamps, and Fessler said
lately that a definition could not be carried against 80 dissentient
votes. This party disapproves Bilio’s treatment of Maret, which is
disowned by Cardinal de Luca, who in other respects often speaks openly
against Manning. Others, including Cardinals, say plainly in reference to
the minority Bishops that the Papacy is threatened with destruction. The
definition must, if possible, be prevented by proroguing the Council, and,
failing that, the difficulties must be evaded by an ambiguous formula. The
prelates who speak thus are too sober-minded not to perceive the political
dangers the new dogma would bring with it. They not only think the price
too high, but they dread being themselves reduced by the definition under
the intolerable dominion of the Jesuit party. They frequently confer with
members of the Opposition with the view of devising a compromise.
The French Opposition Bishops have lately had another meeting and resolved
to continue to take part in the debates. The little misunderstanding
between them and the Hungarians has quite disappeared, and several of the
latter—_e.g._, Simor—are said to be again disposed to speak. And it is
thought that many speeches, suppressed by the violent closing of the
general discussion, will be delivered at the supreme moment in the debate
on the fourth chapter of the _Schema_, which deals with infallibility.
The debate on the separate chapters has reached as far as the third
section “on the meaning and nature of the Roman primacy.” As twenty-six
speakers are inscribed the discussion may last to the middle of next
month, and then will immediately follow the debate on the fourth and most
important chapter, which a great number are likely to take part in, and
there will be no want of amendments. Conolly will propose the formula that
the Pope is infallible “as head of the Church teaching with him” (_tanquam
caput Ecclesiæ secum docentis_), while others, as Dupanloup and Rauscher,
will reproduce the formula of St. Antoninus of Florence, declaring the
Pope infallible when he follows the judgment of the Universal Church,
“utens consilio,” or “accipiens consilium Universalis Ecclesiæ.” This
amendment is said to have been seriously discussed in the sitting of the
Deputation on Faith on June 8, though it amounts to pure Gallicanism, for
Antoninus says plainly (about 1450), “In concernentibus fidem Concilium
est supra Papam.” It is certain that the Deputation will labour to make
some changes in the _Schema_ in view of the Opposition. Lastly, men like
Strossmayer press for an unambiguous denial of the personal infallibility
of the Pope.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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