This is why Canon Law, as quoted earlier, uses the word “obstinate” in its definition of heresy. As long as one is still living, and still attempting to understand better the teaching of the Church, there is no obstinate denial of anything. I still believe there is a kernel of truth in what the deacon said. On must ultimately act in accord to conscience, but this entails the responsibility of forming that conscience, even if it takes a lifetime.
Heresy…of course is not the only question…assent is not just associated with heresy or not…
I agree with you that there was a kernel of truth, but he applied it too widely. Thanks for all of the replies. I think now that a “moral compass” is necessary in that we all live unique lives and will therefore encounter unique situations and we must be well-equipped to handle them. But where the deacon crossed the line was in saying that Catholics may act in ways contrary to explicit Catholic teaching (such as hormonal contraception) if their conscience says it’s okay.
Indeed, but when thing like this happens, and you are not ignorant of history, its easy to see where confusion may occur. I have a list a mile long on mistakes made by religious leaders, all major religions anyway, and people use them to justify all kinds of things.He sounds kind of upset with the Saracens, etc., there …
Good.
I think that if you look at the whole context there, you see that Pope Nicholas was not issuing an infallible decree - indeed, he seems to be treading on ground where he doesn’t belong - the affairs of state during a time of war - and we know that when Popes speak outside of their jurisdiction, they cannot speak infallibly - especially when what they are saying is opposed to the doctrine of the Apostles, in this case, that of the brotherhood of all humanity in Christ.
Clearly, the Church of the time didn’t mistake it for such, either, although at the same time, I don’t doubt that the armies of whatever country he was speaking to did indeed take slaves from among their enemies, and justified themselves by saying that the Pope told them to do it - it was an imprudent thing for him to say, but thinking people of today can surely figure out that he was not actually promulgating Church doctrine at the time.
This document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith will help:
