Replies

Now in the Catholic Church itself we take the greatest care to hold that which has been believed everywhere, always and by all. That is truly and properly 'Catholic,' as is shown by the very force and meaning of the word, which comprehends everything almost universally. We shall hold to this rule if we follow universality [i.e. oecumenicity], antiquity, and consent. We shall follow universality if we acknowledge that one Faith to be true which the whole Church throughout the world confesses; antiquity if we in no wise depart from those interpretations which it is clear that our ancestors and fathers proclaimed; consent, if in antiquity itself we keep following the definitions and opinions of all, or certainly nearly all, bishops and doctors alike. Universality, antiquity, and consent, these are our criteria for discerning the Catholic faith, the essential faith of the undivided church, the Great Tradition in Theology as I prefer to call it.

The phrase many modern day Roman Catholics like to insist is STILL the standard of their church is:

Quod unam, quod semper, quod ubique.

(It has always and everywhere been one and the same.)

However, we know from history that the Catholic Church, as represented by the Roman Catholic Church, does NOT in truth hold to such a standard. Many of the dogmas developed after the first split (Eastern from Western) in the eleventh century. This split happened because of new doctrines that did NOT have antiquity nor consensus patrem (unanimous consent of the fathers). It was why the Reformers actually WERE appealing to return the church back to the faith once delivered unto the saints. It is why those of us today have assurance that the doctrines we hold to WERE/ARE the same as the early church because they follow those truths established in Holy Scripture. Scripture is our guide and authority - as God intended.

Strip away the fluff, scour off the embellishments and legends turned to dogmas, and you have the same faith holding the same truths as those the Apostles learned from the very mouth of Jesus and as revealed by the Holy Spirit to the writers of Holy Scripture. Jesus created His body of believers based on His truth as documented in the Bible and all those who earnestly seek to know Him WILL be rewarded. It is why we know, even today, that the church of Jesus Christ has NEVER disappeared and has never lost the gospel truth. God has always reserved a remnant that remains true to Him.

Thanks for the article.