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Magisterium of the Church, Pope Pius XII made the following clarifications on the matter: "[It must not] be thought that what is expounded in Encyclical Letters does not of itself demand consent, since in writing such Letters the Popes do not exercise the supreme power of their Teaching Authority. For these matters are taught with the ordinary teaching authority, of which it is true to say: ‘He who hears you, hears me’; [Luke 10:16] and generally what is expounded and inculcated in Encyclical Letters already for other reasons appertains to Catholic doctrine. But if the Supreme Pontiffs in their official documents purposely pass judgment on a matter up to that time under dispute, it is obvious that that matter, according to the mind and will of the Pontiffs, cannot be any longer considered a question open to discussion among theologians." (My emphasis)[78] .

That is from my post #13. That is the focus of my arguement. As it is MY position we are talking about, I thought I would remind you of just what my position is.(I always jealously maintain I know better what I think than do others). What you are trying to attribute to me and then argue against is NOT my position or arguement.. It is one you imputed to me.

I have already said, and continue to maintain, that it is not Catholic to dissect Encyclicals and argue about specifics as Encyclicals are Magisterial Teaching. I will stick with the Popes and the Magisterium on this one.

I leave it to others to correct the Pope and accuse him of errors in the Development of Doctrine or imposing novelties

Before I cash them in for the night, I will cite Vatican Two. In Lumen Gentium, Chapter IV, The Laity, #37; "Like all Christians, the laity should promptly accept in Christian obedience what is decided by the pastors who, as teachers and rulers of the Church, represent Christ."

Now, we can do that or we can quibble about specific entries in an Encyclical as a way to reject them. We can do that, or we can reject Doctrine contained in a Universal Catechism.

We can't do both and claim to be good Christians because IF we do as Scalia and other cafeteria Catholics do, we have usurped Divinely-constituted authority.

I guarantee you Scalia would go balllistic if some lawyer stood before him and rejected his authority but he has no problem rejecting Divinely-constituted authority.

I know I am part of an ever-diminishing minority. So be it...