Development of Immaculate Conception as dogma?

[Runningmom]

I apologize in advance if this has been addressed somewhere on this forum. I searched without success.

My husband and I are seriously considering leaving our Continuing Anglican Church and heading to Rome. We are having discussions with our priest and something that has come up whenever he describes Anglican objections to the RCC is the process by which the Immaculate Conception became dogma…how Pope Pius made the IC dogma by his own decision a without the support of a council. The part in bold seems to be especially disturbing to our priest. If our priest is correct on this (and I’m aware he does have an agenda to keep us in his church) this is very disturbing and I’m trying to understand. I truly would appreciate any light anyone can shed on this for me.

Thanks,
Martha

 

[Franciscan]

If there is already existing record of belief dating back to the early church (in this case there is) then it can be defined by a Pope without Council. The council definitions came as a result of the need to refute error.

below is from www.catholic.com

Doctrines are defined formally only when there is a controversy that needs to be cleared up or when the magisterium (the Church in its office as teacher; cf. Matt. 28:18–20; 1 Tim. 3:15, 4:11) thinks the faithful can be helped by particular emphasis being drawn to some already-existing belief. The definition of the Immaculate Conception was prompted by the latter motive; it did not come about because there were widespread doubts about the doctrine. In fact, the Vatican was deluged with requests from people desiring the doctrine to be officially proclaimed. Pope Pius IX, who was highly devoted to the Blessed Virgin, hoped the definition would inspire others in their devotion to her.

 

[Mommyof02green]

This might help:
Mary: "Full of Grace" from catholic.com:

The Fathers of the Church taught that Mary received a number of distinctive blessings in order to make her a more fitting mother for Christ and the prototypical Christian (follower of Christ). These blessings included her role as the New Eve (corresponding to Christ’s role as the New Adam), her Immaculate Conception, her spiritual motherhood of all Christians, and her Assumption into heaven. These gifts were given to her by God’s grace. She did not earn them, but she possessed them nonetheless.

The key to understanding all these graces is Mary’s role as the New Eve, which the Fathers proclaimed so forcefully. Because she is the New Eve, she, like the New Adam, was born immaculate, just as the First Adam and Eve were created immaculate. Because she is the New Eve, she is mother of the New Humanity (Christians), just as the first Eve was the mother of humanity. And, because she is the New Eve, she shares the fate of the New Adam. Whereas the First Adam and Eve died and went to dust, the New Adam and Eve were lifted up physically into heaven.

Of particular interest in the following quotations from the Fathers are those that speak of Mary’s immaculate nature. We will all one day be rendered immaculate (sinless), but Mary, as the prototypical Christian, received this grace early. God granted her freedom from sin to make her a fitting mother for his Son.

Even before the terms “original sin” and “immaculate conception” had been defined, early passages imply the doctrines. Many works mention that Mary gave birth to Jesus without pain. But pain in childbearing is part of the penalty of original sin (Gen. 3:16). Thus, Mary could not have been under that penalty. By God’s grace, she was immaculate in anticipation of her Son’s redemptive death on the cross. The Church therefore describes Mary as “the most excellent fruit of redemption” (CCC 508).

For more from Mary: “Full of Grace” from catholic.com click here

Also these tracts from Catholic.com might help: Mary and the Saints

Also this FREE Bible Study on Mary might help: click here for bible study

 

[Todd_Easton]

The power to bind and loosen, including the power to define the dogmas of the faith, was given to the Apostles as a group in Matthew 18:18 but that same power was also given individually to St. Peter in Matthew 16:19, as part of his office as the wise and faithful steward whom his Master has set over His household until his Master’s return. (Luke 12:41-42)

The power to bind and loosen continues today in the successors of the Apostles, the bishops of the Catholic Church, as a group and it also continues individually in the successor of St. Peter, the bishop of Rome (the pope).