The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

"INFALLIBILITY OF THE POPES. 147a Balaam among the Prophets, and a Caiphasamong the HighPriests of the Old Law.The presentillustrious Pontiff is a man of 110ordinary sanctity.He has already filled the high"est positionin the Church for upwards of thirtyyears, a spectacleto the world, to angels, and tomen,"and no man can point out a stain upon hismoral character.And yet Pius IX., like his predecessors, confesseshis sins every week. Each morning, at the beginning of Mass, he says at the foot of the altar,confess to Almighty God, and to His Saints, that Ihave sinned exceedingly in thought, word, anddeed." And at the Offertory of the Mass he says:"Receive, O Holy Father, almighty, everlastingGod, this oblation which I, Thy unworthy servant, offer for my innumerable sins, offences, andnegligences."With these facts before their eyes,I cannot comprehend how ministers of the Gospel betray so muchignorance, or are guilty of so much malice, as toproclaim from their pulpits, which ought to be consecrated to truth, that Infallibility means exemption from sin. I do not see how they can benefittheir cause by such flagrant perversions of truth.3d. Bear in mind, also, that this divine assistanceisguaranteed to the Pope, not in his capacity as aprivate teacher, but only in his official capacity,when he judges of faith and morals as Head of theChurch. If a Pope, for instance, like Benedict