The erroneous beliefs which Pope Pius IX (1848 - 1878 AD) tried to
impose on the Church:
| Teachings of
Pope Pius IX |
Teachings of the Second Vatican
Council |
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[It is an error to say that] every human
being is free to embrace and profess that religion which, led by the light of
reason he/she believes to be true. Pius IX
Syllabus of Errors (1864 AD), Denz. 1715. |
This Vatican Synod declares that the human person has a right
to religious freedom. This freedom means that all people are to be immune from
coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power,
in such wise that in matters religious no one is to be forced to act in a
manner contrary to his/her own beliefs. Vatican II,
Dignitatis Humanae (1965 AD) § 2 |
Catholics may not promote this erroneous
opinion which is also disastrous to the salvation of souls . . . , namely that
freedom of conscience and worship is a right which each person possesses, a
right which may be laid down and affirmed by law in every properly constituted
State; and that citizens possess the right in all freedom - a freedom not
to be limited by any ecclesial or civil authority, of openly and publicly
manifesting and proclaiming their ideas either by word of mouth, or in written
text or in any other way. Pius IX Quanta
Cura (1864 AD), Denz. 1690. |
The Synod [= Vatican Council II] further declares that the
right to religious freedom has its foundation in the very dignity of the human
person, as this dignity is known through the revealed Word of God and be reason
itself. This right of the human person to religious freedom is to be
recognised in the constitutional law whereby society is governed. Thus it is to
become a civil right. . . The exercise of this right is not to be impeded .
. . The inquiry after truth is to be free, carried on with the aid of teaching
or instruction, communication and dialogue. Vatican
II, Dignitatis Humanae (1965 AD) § 1 and 2. |
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[It is an error to say that] adherents of
any religion can find the way of eternal salvation and obtain eternal
salvation. Pius IX Syllabus of Errors
(1864 AD), Denz. 1716. [It is an error to say that] at least
we may hope that all those who have never been involved in the true Church of
Christ will find eternal salvation. Pius IX
Syllabus of Errors (1864 AD), Denz. 1717. |
Those also can attain to everlasting salvation who through
no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, yet
sincerely seek God and, moved by grace, strive by their deeds to do his will as
it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Vatican II, Lumen Gentium (AD 1964) §
16. |
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[It is an error to say that] the Church
does not have the power to define as a dogma that the Catholic Church is the
only true religion. Pius IX Syllabus of
Errors (1864 AD), Denz. 1721. |
The Catholic Church rejects nothing which is true and holy in
other religions. She looks with sincere respect upon those ways of conduct and
of life, those rules and teachings which, though differing in many particulars
from what she holds and sets forth, nevertheless often reflect a ray of that
Truth which enlightens all people. Vatican II,
Nostra Aetate (1965 AD) § 2. |
[It is an error to say that] in our time
it is no longer convenient to have the Catholic religion as the only religion
to the exclusion of any other religion. Pius IX
Syllabus of Errors (1864 AD), Denz. 1777. |
A wrong is done when government imposes upon its people, by
force or fear or other means, the profession or repudiation of any one
religion, or when it hinders people from joining or leaving a religious
body. Vatican II, Dignitatis Humanae
(1965 AD) § 6. |
[It is an error to say that] it is
praiseworthy that in certain Catholic countries it is provided for by law that
people who immigrate from outside may publicly exercise their own form of
worship. Pius IX Syllabus of Errors
(1864 AD), Denz. 1778. |
Religious bodies rightfully claim freedom to govern
themselves according to their own norms, honour the Supreme Being in public
worship, assist their members in the practice of the religious life, strengthen
them by instruction and promote institutions by which they may join together
for the purpose of ordering their own lives in accordance with their own
religious principles. Vatican II, Dignitatis
Humanae (1965 AD) § 5. |
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[It is an error to say that] Protestantism
is nothing else than another form of the true Christian religion through which
one can please God as much as through the Catholic Church. Pius IX Syllabus of Errors (1864 AD), Denz.
1718. |
Some, even very many, of the most significant elements or
endowments which together go to build up and give life to the Church herself
can exist outside the boundaries of the Catholic Church: the written word of
God; the life of grace; faith, hope and charity, along with other interior
gifts of the Holy Spirit and visible elements . . . It follows that these
separated Churches and communities . . . have by no means been deprived of
significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. Vatican II, Unitatis Redintegratio (AD 1964) §
3. |
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Socialism is a pest.
Pius IX Qui pluribus (1846 AD); Singulari
quadam (1854 AD); Syllabus of Errors §
IV. |
It is in full accord with human nature that
juridical-political structures should afford all their citizens the chance to
participate freely and actively in establising the constitutional bases of a
political community, governing the state, determining the scope and purpose of
various institutions, and choosing leaders. Vatican
II, Gaudium et Spes (AD 1965) § 75. |
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Slavery itself, considered as such in its
essential nature, is not at all contrary to the natural and divine law, and
there can be several just titles of slavery and these are referred to by
approved theologians and commentators of the sacred canons.... It is not
contrary to the natural and divine law for a slave to be sold, bought,
exchanged or given. Pius IX
(Instruction 20 June 1866 AD). J.F.MAXWELL, The Development
of Catholic Doctrine Concerning Slavery, World Jurist 11 (1969-70)
pp.306-307.. |
Whatever is opposed to life itself, such as . . . arbitrary
imprisonment, deportation, prostitution, the selling of women and children, and
slavery . . . all these things and others of their like are infamies indeed.
They poison human society and are a supreme dishonour to the Creator .
. Human institutions, both private and public, must labour to minister to
the dignity and purpose of the human person. Let them put up a stubborn fight
against any form of slavery and safeguard the basic human rights under any
political system. Vatican II, Gaudium et
Spes (AD 1965) § 27, 29. |