G
Genesis315
Guest
Dignitatis Humanae deals only with coercion from the state above and beyond what is necessary for the common good within the objective moral order. Coercion of the baptized by the Church is a different matter entirely. The state does not have jurisdiction from God over matters of faith above and beyond its general duty to enforce the natural law and protect the common good. The Church, on the other hand, does have jurisdiction over matters of faith.
The ability of the Church to coerce the baptized in matters of faith was affirmed by the Council of Trent (Canons on Baptism 8 and 14 ) and is found in the current Code of Canon Law (Canons 1311 and 1312; note these canons refer to the Christian faithful, which are defined elsewhere as the baptized cf. canon 204)). While one cannot be coerced into being baptized, by consenting to baptism (either directly, or for those physically unable, through a parent or guardian), one consents to being bound by the Church’s jurisdiction.
Techincally, all the baptized (whether baptized Catholic or elsewhere) are subject to the Church’s jurisdiction (that’s the basis for affirming a “partial communion” with baptized non-Catholics), but traditionally the Church has only chosen to apply her laws to formal Catholics.
Formerly, the process of formal defection excused one from the obligation to obey Church laws. Now, even one who formally defects is subject to Church laws (this was done basically to make marriage and annulment cases more clear-cut). It bears pointing out, “once Catholic, always Catholic” only really applies to this jurisdictional and canonical sense. One can still cease to be a member of the Catholic Church, and therefore the Body of Christ, through heresy, schism, apostacy, and excommunication.
The ability of the Church to coerce the baptized in matters of faith was affirmed by the Council of Trent (Canons on Baptism 8 and 14 ) and is found in the current Code of Canon Law (Canons 1311 and 1312; note these canons refer to the Christian faithful, which are defined elsewhere as the baptized cf. canon 204)). While one cannot be coerced into being baptized, by consenting to baptism (either directly, or for those physically unable, through a parent or guardian), one consents to being bound by the Church’s jurisdiction.
Techincally, all the baptized (whether baptized Catholic or elsewhere) are subject to the Church’s jurisdiction (that’s the basis for affirming a “partial communion” with baptized non-Catholics), but traditionally the Church has only chosen to apply her laws to formal Catholics.
Formerly, the process of formal defection excused one from the obligation to obey Church laws. Now, even one who formally defects is subject to Church laws (this was done basically to make marriage and annulment cases more clear-cut). It bears pointing out, “once Catholic, always Catholic” only really applies to this jurisdictional and canonical sense. One can still cease to be a member of the Catholic Church, and therefore the Body of Christ, through heresy, schism, apostacy, and excommunication.
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