Derek Ellery:
Vatican 2 failed to define anything infallibly.
Here’s some homework for you, Derek, to correct your misinformation.
ewtn.com/library/Theology/SUMMARY.HTM
I. Divinely Revealed
Doctrines contained in the Word of God, written or handed down, and defined with a solemn judgment of the Church as divinely revealed truths by any of the following:
a) the Roman Pontiff speaking
ex cathedra
b) the College of Bishops gathered in council
c) infallibly proposed by the ordinary and universal Magisterium
First off, the idea or rumor/whatever that V2 was a “pastoral” Council is a simple lie and mistranslation/misunderstanding or twist of what John XXIII actually said.
What he actually did say at the opening of the Council was this:
John XXIII, Opening Speech at Vatican II, Oct. 11, 1962: “The substance of the ancient deposit of faith is one thing, and the way in which it is presented is another. And it is the latter that must be taken into great consideration with patience if necessary, everything being measured in the forms and proportions
of a Magisterium which is predominantly pastoral in character."
John XXIII or Paul VI never said it was a pastoral council.
And even if it were, it’s irrelevant, because it nonetheless fulfilled the conditions of Infallibility. Let me show you.
Pope Pius IX, Vatican Council I, Session 4, Chap. 4:
“… the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra, that is, [1] **When carrying out the duty of the Pastor and teacher of all christians **[2] **In accord with his Supreme Apostolic Authority **[3]
He explains a doctrine of the faith or morals to be held by the Universal Church, through the divine assistance promised him in blessed Peter, **operates with that infallibility **with which the divine Redeemer wished that His Church be instructed in defining doctrine on faith and morals; and so such definitions of the Roman Pontiff from himself, but not from the consensus of the Church, are unalterable. But if anyone presumes to contradict this definition of Ours, which may God forbid: let him be anathema."
So now let us examine if they indeed fulfill these conditions:
- A Pope must act as Pastor and teacher of all Christians
Each one of the 16 documents of Vatican II begins with these words:
“PAUL, BISHOP, SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD, TOGETHER WITH THE FATHERS OF THE SACRED COUNCIL FOR EVERLASTING MEMORY.”
Pope Eugene IV, Julius II and Pius IX all began their respective council sessions or the Council itself with the same words.
So Paul VI thus fulfills to act as Pastor of all the Christians.
- A Pope must teach in accord with his supreme apostolic
authority
Each one of the 16 documents of V2 ends with these words:
“EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE THINGS SET FORTH IN THIS DECREE HAS WON THE CONSENT OF THE FATHERS. WE, TOO,
BY THE APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY CONFERRED ON US BY CHRIST,
JOIN WITH THE VENERABLE FATHERS IN APPROVING, DECREEING, AND ESTABLISHING THESE THINGS IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND WE DIRECT THAT WHAT HAS THUS BEEN ENACTED IN SYNOD BE PUBLISHED TO GOD’S GLORY… I, PAUL, BISHOP OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.”
He fulfills the 2nd requirement with this.
- A Pope must explain a doctrine of faith or morals to be held by
the universal Church
He clearly says (Paul VI) that V2 is to be Religiously Observed:
Paul VI, Papal Brief declaring Council Closed, Dec. 8, 1965:
“At last all which regards the holy Ecumenical Council has, with the help of God, been accomplished and
ALL THE CONSTITUTIONS, DECREES, DECLARATIONS, AND VOTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE DELIBERATION OF THE SYNOD AND PROMULGATED BY US. Therefore, we decided to close for all intents and purposes, WITH OUR APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY, this same Ecumenical Council called by our predecessor, Pope John XXIII, which opened October 11, 1962, and which was continued by us after his death.
WE DECIDE MOREOVER THAT ALL THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED SYNODALLY IS TO BE RELIGIOUSLY OBSERVED BY ALL THE FAITHFUL, for the glory of God and the dignity of the Church…
WE HAVE APPROVED AND ESTABLISHED THESE THINGS, DECREEING THAT THE PRESENT LETTERS ARE AND REMAIN STABLE AND VALID, AND ARE TO HAVE LEGAL EFFECTIVENESS, so that they be disseminated and obtain full and complete effect, and so that they may be fully convalidated by those whom they concern or may concern now and in the future; and so that, as it be judged and described, ALL EFFORTS CONTRARY TO THESE THINGS BY WHOEVER OR WHATEVER AUTHORITY, KNOWINGLY OR IN IGNORANCE, BE INVALID AND WORTHLESS FROM NOW ON. Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, under the [seal of the] ring of the fisherman, December 8… the year 1965, the third year of our Pontificate.”
And that sums up the third condition.
But it is not an area of faith and morals. If so, then everybody who said that Vatican II addressed no area of faith in morals is mistaken. It can not be both ways at the same time. Freedom of religion can not be an area of faith and morals up until Vatican II and then suddenly cease being an area of faith and morals. If it is an area of faith and morals, then Vatican II did address this area of faith in morals and therefore was more than just a pastoral council.
