Two Types Of Assent

[Byzantine]

What's the difference between assent of faith and assent of mind and will? Thanks!

[cappie]

There are two levels of assent to magisterial teachings:

1. the full assent of faith (theological assent, or sacred assent) for infallible magisterial teachings (i.e. formal dogmas).
2. the religious submission of will and intellect (religious assent, or ordinary assent) for non-infallible teachings (doctrines, but not dogmas).

The language in magisterial documents concerning assent, varies -- but with the same meaning:

1. sacred assent to infallible teachings

Vatican I:
"divine and Catholic faith"
"defined as doctrines to be held.... unblemished by any error"
"defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church"

Vatican II, Lumen Gentium [LG]:
"definitively to be held"
"must be adhered to with the submission of faith"

The Council of Trent uses the simple phrase "to be held" for its infallible declaration on the Canon of Sacred Scripture.

The CCC: "When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine 'for belief as being divinely revealed,' [LG] and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions 'must be adhered to with the obedience of faith.' "

So the phrase 'to be held' is often used by the Magisterium to refer to the assent required of infallible teachings; this is the full assent (submission, obedience) of faith.

2. ordinary assent to non-infallible teachings

Vatican II, Lumen Gentium:
"religious assent"
"religious submission of mind and will"
"sincerely adhered to"

The CCC: "To this ordinary teaching the faithful 'are to adhere to it with religious assent' [LG] which, though distinct from the assent of faith, is nonetheless an extension of it."

Pope John Paul II: "With respect to the non-infallible expressions of the authentic magisterium of the Church, these should be received with religious submission of mind and will." (Address to U.S. Bishops, 1988).

Thus, there are two levels of assent to magisterial teachings.

 

Full article here:

 

http://www.catholicplanet.com/TSM/levels-of-assent.htm