The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

158 THE FAITH OF OTJR FATHERS.Pope Leo X., in the sixteenth, anathematizesLuther.Innocent X., in the seventeenth, at the solicitationof 1 he French Episcopate, condemns the subtle errorsof the Jansenists ;and in the nineteenth century,Pius IX. promulgates the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.Here we find the Popes in various ages condemning heresies and proclaiming doctrines of faith; andthey could not in a stronger manner assert theirinfallibility than by defining doctrines of faith andcondemning errors. We also behold the Church ofChristendom ever saying Amen to thedecisions ofthe Bishops of Rome. Hence, it is evident that inevery age the Church recognized the Popes as infallible teachers.Every independent government must have a supreme tribunal, regularly sitting to interpret itslaws, and to decide cases of controversy likely toarise. Thus we have in Washington the SupremeCourt of the United States.Now the Catholic Church is a complete and independent organization, as complete in its spiritualsphereas the United States Government is in thetemporal order. The Church has its own laws, itsown autonomy, and government.The Church, therefore, like civil powers, musthave a permanent and stationary supreme tribunalto interpret its laws, and to determine cases of religious controversy.