The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

INFALLIBLE AUTHORITY. 89and to obey not merely by an external compliancybut also by an internal assent of the intellect. If,therefore, the Catholic Church could preach error,would not God Himself be responsible for the error ?And could not the faithful soul say to God with allreverence and truth : Thou hast commanded me,O Lord, to hear Thy Church. If I am deceived byobeying her, Thou art the cause of my error.But we may rest assured that an all-wise Providence who commands His Church to speak in Hisname, will so guide her in the path of truth that sheshall never lead into error those that follow herteachings.But as this privilege of Infallibility was a veryextraordinary favor, our Saviour confers it on therulers of His Church in language which removes alldoubt from the sincere inquirer, and under circumstances which add to the majesty of His word.Shortly before His death, Jesus consoles His disciplesby this "promise I will ask the Father, and He:shall give you another Paraclete, that He may abidewith you forever. . . . But when He, the Spirit oftruth, shall come, He will teach lyou all truth."The following text of the same import forms theconcluding words recorded of our Saviour in St.Matthew s Gospel All "power :is given to Me inheaven and on earth. Go ye, therefore, and teachall nations, . . . teaching them to observe all thingswhatsoever I have commanded you. And behold.1John xiv. 16 ;xvi. 13.