Assumption of Mary and Salvation

[jjb5985]

Someone brought up the claim that Pope Pius the XII said that one would lose their salvation if they were not to believe in the assumption. I read what I could and it seems as they he may have said that one couldn’t be a Catholic and deny the assumption, but I didn’t see anything about one cannot be saved if they don’t believe in it. I personally, being Catholic, believe in whatever the Church teaches. I’m wondering however what I can say to or show this person.

I found this website
Site link edited to original author’s article

which seems to be a typical arguement against the assumption. Can anyone give a good Catholic explanation defending the assumption and countering these arguements? Thanks.

 

[Church_Militant]

Joe Mizzi doesn’t know his ear from his elbow. Look at this.

God has assumed several people that we know of. Moses and Elijah just to name a couple. In fact, the account of Moses assumption is not in the OT, but the Jewish traditional book telling about it is actually quoted in the canon of the New Testament in Jude 1:9, which tells you something about the apostle’s attitude towards the document.

The account of the Blessed Virgin’s assumption is found in early church history, and has been held by Christians ever since. Do a search on New Advent and you’ll get the lowdown on that history.

Immaculate Conception and Assumption is also a good article on it on the CA ma(name removed by moderator)age library.
Pax tecum,

 

[Verbum]

Hi jjb,

The dogma of the Assumption was proclaimed by PIus XII in Munificentissimus Deus, which you can find at

ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/P12MUNIF.HTM

In it you will find the reasons why Catholics believe in it.

As for the rest, we must believe everything that God reveals to us, and the Assumption is one of those truths. We cannot choose to believe God in one case and not in another.

Verbum

 

[YinYangMom]

Someone brought up the claim that Pope Pius the XII said that one would lose their salvation if they were not to believe in the assumption.

Looking at the link Verbum provided, there’s no mention of one losing their salvation for rejecting the dogma, but there are harsh consequences:

“45. Hence if anyone, which God forbid, should dare willfully to deny or to call into doubt that which we have defined, let him know that he has fallen away completely from the divine and Catholic Faith.”
“47. It is forbidden to any man to change this, our declaration, pronouncement, and definition or, by rash attempt,** to oppose** and counter it. If any man should presume to make such an attempt,** let him know that he will incur the wrath of Almighty God and of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul**.”

 

[jjb5985]

Looking at the link Verbum provided, there’s no mention of one losing their salvation for rejecting the dogma, but there are harsh consequences:

“45. Hence if anyone, which God forbid, should dare willfully to deny or to call into doubt that which we have defined, let him know that he has fallen away completely from the divine and Catholic Faith.”
“47. It is forbidden to any man to change this, our declaration, pronouncement, and definition or, by rash attempt,** to oppose** and counter it. If any man should presume to make such an attempt,** let him know that he will incur the wrath of Almighty God and of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul**.”

This is what I figured. I have no problem with the assumption. I just want information so I can explain it to this person. It didn’t sound right when they said that the pope declares a person unsaved for not believing in the assumption. (they were using this as an attack on Catholicism)

 

[Verbum]

Hi jjb,

Well, they are right. If a Catholic knowingly and willingly denies the Assumption, he puts himself/herself outside the Church and t therefore on the path to non-salvation.

Verbum