Circle_Master Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 (edited) It was believed that Christ and the saints had achieved so much merit during their early lives that the excess merit was laid up in a heavenly treasury of merit on which the pope could draw on behalf of the living faithful. This idea was first forumulated by Alexander of Hales in the thirteenth century. Clement VI declared it to be dogma in 1343. A later papal bull of Sixtus IV in 1476 extended this privilege to souls in purgatory, provided their living relatives purchased indulgences for them. Christianity through the Centuries - Earle E. Cairns 3rd ed. Is this true? I like to check my sources before I begin. I went to newadvent.org and they don't even have an entry for 'Treasury of Merit'. I find that odd. Edited January 9, 2004 by Circle_Master Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdulia again Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 replace merit with grace and yes it's true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle_Master Posted January 9, 2004 Author Share Posted January 9, 2004 Where can I find the original release from Clement VI? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdulia again Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 vatican.va and go huntin'. link to the document when you find it. i'd like to read it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle_Master Posted January 9, 2004 Author Share Posted January 9, 2004 this webpage is a maze... why don't they make it simple? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdulia again Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 :lol: did you just ask why the VATICAN didn't make something simple? silly, silly boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary's Knight, La Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 a little clarification for ya too, the way i was taught it's based upon Christ's infinite merit, because He was perfect the sacrifice of His life has infinite value (the only reason we can be absolved in the first place) but the sacrifices of those in a state of grace at the time add to it in the same way that adding 1 makes an infinite number larger, the merit though also includes the merits of those who have been perfected and are now in Heaven. as for why don't the make it simple? i'm guessing it's cuz they want those who search for information to read a whole lot of extra information too (it's a conspiracy I tell ya j/k :-) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdulia again Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 the object is grace. the merits of the saints is grace. there is not a treasury of merit, there is a treasury of grace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle_Master Posted January 9, 2004 Author Share Posted January 9, 2004 I can't find any document before 1878 from Leo XIII. I think they only keep the last 9 popes information on the site for some odd reason. Guess I can't check what the church really teaches! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdulia again Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 They have older docs there i think..i'll go and look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdulia again Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 nm. i'm wrong. actually i'm right, there's a place called "papal bulls", but i canna' find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle_Master Posted January 9, 2004 Author Share Posted January 9, 2004 nm. i'm wrong. actually i'm right, there's a place called "papal bulls", but i canna' find it. it's not there this is the closest I got http://www.vatican.va/offices/ and also Papal Documents can be linked from that page - but it doesn't go back beyond the 9th to last pope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhatPhred Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 From the newadvent.org entry on Indulgences: The existence of an infinite treasury of merits in the Church is dogmatically set forth in the Bull "Unigenitus", published by Clement VI, 27 Jan., 1343, and later inserted in the "Corpus Juris" (Extrav. Com., lib. V, tit. ix. c. ii): "Upon the altar of the Cross ", says the pope, "Christ shed of His blood not merely a drop, though this would have sufficed, by reason of the union with the Word, to redeem the whole human race, but a copious torrent. . . thereby laying up an infinite treasure for mankind. This treasure He neither wrapped up in a napkin nor hid in a field, but entrusted to Blessed Peter, the key-bearer, and his successors, that they might, for just and reasonable causes, distribute it to the faithful in full or in partial remission of the temporal punishment due to sin." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle_Master Posted January 9, 2004 Author Share Posted January 9, 2004 This seems to be implying Jesus didn't have to die. He was 'good enough' to save everyone without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperdulia again Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 Brucie your post was uncharitable, and for the last time apparitions (the scapular is from an apparition) are not things any Catholic can be bound to believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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