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BY FATHER IS E. ) STL
Since the Orthodox Roman Catholic Were ever to speak infallibly,
Movement (ORCM) is thoroughly Roman we would accept such a pro-
catholic, it follows that we believe nouncement humbly, unhesitatingly,
and profess in its entirety the tra- . We accept, too, any and all
ditional teaching of the Church con- s teachings which are in har-
cerning the Papacy, including the the Sacred Traditions of
primacy and infallibility of the faith. In a word, our po-
Roman ff. Nor is there anything on the subject of the Papacy
in our terature which would imply Paul VI is in complete con-
otherwise. less, it seems with the mind and doctrine
that there are some traditional Roman Catholic Church. The
Catholics , while claiming to a- is written, I should note,
gree quite fully with the stand we who is vividly aware both of
take and the goals we pursue, hesi- that has befallen our
tate to align themselves with us be- Church during the pontifi-
cause of some degree of uncertainty cate of Pope Paul VI and of the
they have about our position in re- efforts, which I personal-
lation to Pope Paul VI. For the re- ' at detente and collabor-
cord, then, permit me to attempt to atheistic Communism.
lay at rest these uncertainties in
as simple and concise a manner as I the proper attitude of
can. Catholics towatds Church
in general and the Pope in
It is the ition of the ORCM that ar, two items appear to
Pope Paul VI is a legitimate pon- cause much of the prevailing confu-
tiff, duly elected to the exalted sion, papal infallibility and the
office he occupies as the successor tion of obedience. As regards
to Saint Peter in the See of Rome. many traditional Catho-
Consequently, we believe that he lics, as I see it, tend to associate
possesses the primacy both of orders concept of infallibility with
and jurisdiction in the Church as of impeccability, that is,
well as the power of infallibility. tlessness or sinlessness. The
Pope as the Vicar of Christ has the what he may be commanded? Of course
power to speak infallibly and, if not. The Church has never taught
and when he does, as, for example, this. Such teaching would be unjust
the declaration of the Dogma of the and irrational. While the point
Assumption in 1950, a Roman Catholic seems to be so obvious as to be un-
is bound to accept such a pronounce- necessary to mention it, yet it has
ment wholeheartedly. However, in- to be stated today because "the in-
fallible declarations are very rare novators and destroyers within the
and are restricted by most stringent Church are using the obedience of
conditions. the faithful as a weapon to destroy
the Church."
Impeccability, on the hand,
has no connection with libili- What, then, is the obligation of
ty. Papal infallibility does not Roman Catholics in this matter?
imply or include papal impeccabili- Simply put, Church authority must be
ty. In other words, a pontiff's obeyed when what that authority or-
moral deficiencies, erroneous judg- ders or commands is in harmony with
ments, political observations, etc. Sacred Tradition. If it is in con-
have nothing to do with infallibili- flict with Tradition, then there is
ty, and it is here, I th.ink, where no obligation to obey. Such is our
some traditional Cathol confuse surest guide through the turmoil and
these two concepts. They ,Jeem to chaos that besets our beloved Church
have the false notion that the Pope in this our day. " . . . hold fast to
can say or do no wrong because he the traditions which you have re-
is the Pope. They appear to consider ceived." (II Thessalonians, 2:15)
his every observation or pronounce-
ment as almost infallible. Such is
the impression I have gotten. If it Hopefully, this article provides a
be correct, then these Catholics sufficient, though brief, answer to
have a concept of infallibility those who say or imply that an or-
which is at odds wi the teaching ganization such as the ORCM is
of the Church. Again, the Pope has "bordering on schism." How, pray
the power of infal lity and, in tell, is this possible since we
the rare instances which he exer- fully subscribe to the doctrine of
cises that power, he is incapable of the Church on the Papacy, and all we
error. In other matters, except when are trying to do is to preserve the
his teaching is in conformity with True Mass, the traditional Sacra-
Sacred Tradition, he can be wrong ments, orthodox catechetics, in a
because he is not impeccable. word, the entirety of our God-given
faith? That it is even seriously
A second cause of considerable con- suggested that total fidelity to
fusion among many traditional Catho- Sacred Tradition may be "bordering
lics involves the obligation of o- on schism" is but one more proof, if
bedience to Church authority, an ob- such proof were needed, that we are
ligation incumbent upon all who are living in a very upside-down world
members of the Roman Catholic indeed!
Church. But does this obligation al-
low no exceptions? Is it so all-
inclusive as to be, in effect, a
blind obedience? Must a Catholic o-
bey Church authority in all circum-
stances regardless of the nature of
REPRINT OF ORCM NEWS EDITORIAL NO. 12, APRIL 10, 1975