I FEEL I should respond to C.P. Hickey’s letter (CL 22/8/04) re papal infallibility.
When I received my First Holy Communion about 74 years ago in rural Ireland, we learned the faith from the little Penny Catechism.
Incidentally, at that time, the parish church was locked, even the confessionals and staircases, and the pregnant women wore a long black hooded cloak to preserve their modesty.
Now we have a splendid new Catechism, issued by His Holiness 10 years ago.
It is a marvellous thing that both books contain the full truths of the faith except that in the latter, the bones have been fleshed out and explained, and it is lovely and soul-satisfying to read a chapter at any time and meditate on it.
One thing which it stresses is that we all have a duty to spread the faith and I have tried to do this during my long life.
Leaving County Cork at 18, living in England and then in Australia gave plenty of opportunity to do so. We should not keep so wonderful a thing to ourselves, but try to pass it on. Do not keep the holy objects in the bedroom.
The New Catechism explains papal infallibility beautifully. It is true that it is seldom the Holy Father who makes an ex cathedra proclamation by a definitive act, a doctrine of faith and morals.
The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, with the Pope, they exercise the supreme Magisterium, above all, in an ecumenical council.
The Catechism goes on to say, ‘Divine assistance is also given to the successors of the apostles, teaching in communion with the successors of Peter, and in a particular way, the Bishop of Rome, pastor of the whole Church, when, without arriving at an infallible definition, and without pronouncing in a ‘definitive manner’ they propose in the exercise of the ordinary Magisterium a teaching that leads to better understanding of Revelation in matters of faith and morals.
‘To this ordinary teaching the faithful ‘are to adhere to it with religious assent’ which, though distinct from the assent of faith, is nonetheless an extension of it.’
I do not know whether this applies to canonised saints, but I am sure that Our Lady and the saints and angels should be venerated for their sanctity and for the help they give us, and for the glory they give to God.
SHEILA WALSH
Gordon Park, Qld
