Profession Of Faith

[Apotheoun]

The [u]Professio Fidei[/u] includes both the Niceno-Constantinopolitan creed, which we sing in the divine liturgy every Sunday and holy day, and three additional propositions, which concern the three levels of Magisterial authority and the type of assent required of the faithful in relation to the acts of the Magisterium. It should be noted from the outset that there is no right to dissent from any of the three levels of the Magisterium's teaching authority. But the assent required does differ according to the level of authority employed and the nature of the doctrine proposed.

The first additional proposition concerns dogmas [i]de fide credenda[/i], which have been taught infallibly by the Magisterium, either Extraordinary or Ordinary, and which require an assent of faith based on the word of God itself, because the doctrines proposed are either explicitly or implicitly contained within the deposit of revelation. A man who denies something taught at this level falls into the sin of heresy.

The second additional proposition of the [u]Professio Fidei[/u] concerns doctrines taught infallibly by the Magisterium, either Extraordinary or Ordinary, that are not necessarily divinely revealed, but which are to be held definitively ([i]de fide tenenda[/i]) because they are intimately associated with divine revelation by either a historical or a logical connection; and so, the type of assent required of the faithful to teachings of this level is [i]definitive tenenda[/i] and ". . . is based on faith in the Holy Spirit's assistance to the Magisterium and on the Catholic doctrine of the infallibility of the Magisterium." [CDF [u]Official Doctrinal Commentary on the Professio Fidei[/u], no. 8] Truths taught at this second level of authority can be infallibly confirmed by the Roman Pontiff, through the exercise of his Ordinary Magisterium, even without recourse to an [i]ex cathedra[/i] pronouncement. [cf., CDF [u]Official Doctrinal Commentary on the Professio Fidei[/u], no. 9] A man who denies something taught at this level rejects a truth of Catholic doctrine, and as a consequence he would no longer be in full communion with the Catholic Church.

The third additional proposition concerns doctrines taught by the Authentic Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff and the College of Bishops in communion with him. Although the Authentic Magisterium does not participate in the charism of infallibility, its teachings and directives cannot be rejected by a member of the faithful; instead, he must give a religious submission of intellect and will to what it proposes, because the teachings in question are ". . . presented as true or at least sure, even if they have not be defined with a solemn judgment or proposed as definitive by the Ordinary and Universal Magisterium." [CDF [u]Official Doctrinal Commentary on the Professio Fidei[/u], no. 10] A man who denies something taught at this level falls into doctrinal error, and in the case of teachings of the prudential order his denial is considered to be ". . . rash or dangerous and therefore [i]tuto doceri non potest[/i]." [CDF [u]Official Doctrinal Commentary on the Professio Fidei[/u], no. 10]

Finally, as I indicated above, there is no right to dissent from a teaching of the Extraordinary, the Ordinary, or the Authentic Magisterium; instead, the various teachings proposed by the Magisterium require either an assent of faith or a religious submission of intellect and will by all the Church's faithful.


[b]PROFESSIO FIDEI (with the additional propositions on the three levels of Magisterial authority)[/b]

I, N., with firm faith believe and profess each and everything that is contained in the Symbol of faith, namely:

(the niceno-constantinopolitan creed)

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

(the three additional propositions)

[i] With firm faith, I also believe everything contained in the Word of God, whether written or handed down in Tradition, which the Church, either by a solemn judgment or by the Ordinary and Universal Magisterium, sets forth to be believed as divinely revealed.

I also firmly accept and hold each and everything definitively proposed by the Church regarding teachings on faith and morals.

Moreover, I adhere with religious submission of will and intellect to the teachings which either the Roman Pontiff or the College of Bishop enunciate when they exercise their authentic Magisterium, even if they do not intend to proclaim these teachings by a definitive act.[/i]

Edited July 3, 2004 by Apotheoun

[Cure of Ars]

Thanks for this post. I have never heard it broken down like this before. Usually I just think of two levels. Pronouncements by the pope that are Ex Cathedra and ecumenical councils that are in union with the Pope. Thanks


And congratulations on being church militant.

[cmotherofpirl]

This should go to the Apologetic section.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Cure of Ars' date='Jul 3 2004, 09:27 AM']Thanks for this post.  I have never heard it broken down like this before.  Usually I just think of two levels.  Pronouncements by the pope that are Ex Cathedra and ecumenical councils that are in union with the Pope.  Thanks.[/quote]
Those are the two modes of operation of the infallible Extraordinary Magisterium alone, in which the Church teaches through what are called solemn [i]defining acts[/i]; as opposed to the infallible [i]non-defining acts[/i] of the Ordinary Magisterium.

[quote name='Cure of Ars' date=' Jul 3 2004, 09:27 AM']And congratulations on being church militant.[/quote]
Thank you.

[ThyWillBeDone]

That is an awesome post, should be placed in the reference section. Thanks man.
God Bless,
Chris

[Guest JeffCR07]

Apotheoun, again, great job!