[metmom]

Where in my post did I imply that Mary’s perpetual virginity had anything to do with salvation? You read way too much into my post.

Here.

BTW, I have heard that both Luther and Calvin believed in Mary’s perpetual virginity which would be anathema to modern day protestants.

But it appears that you did not mean it the way it reads.

BTW, I’d be interested in knowing of any Protestant leader who’s comfortable that dogma.

The Catholic church has its opinion on Mary....

IIRC someone posted some dictum by the Catholic church that certain doctrines about Mary are required to be believed or the person was *anathema*, IOW, they were required to be believed for salvation.

[phil413]

You’re right. I in no way meant that salvation depends on certain Marian dogmas. Nor do I believe that today’s Catholics believe that except for a few pre-Vatican II holdouts (Mel Gibson comes to mind). Hope you took no offense at my postings - none was meant.

[CynicalBear]

>> IIRC someone posted some dictum by the Catholic church that certain doctrines about Mary are required to be believed or the person was *anathema*, IOW, they were required to be believed for salvation.<<

For which reason, after we have poured forth prayers of supplication again and again to God, and have invoked the light of the Spirit of Truth, for the glory of Almighty God Who has lavished His special affection upon the Virgin Mary, for the honour of her Son, the immortal King of the Ages and the Victor over sin and death, for the increase of the glory of that same august Mother, and for the joy and exultation of the entire Church; by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by Our own authority, We pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.

Hence, if anyone, which God forbid, should dare wilfully to deny or call into doubt that which we have defined, let him know that he has fallen away completely from the divine and Catholic faith...It is forbidden to any man to change this, Our declaration, pronouncement, and definition or, by rash attempt, to oppose and counter it. If any man should presume to make such an attempt, let him know that he will incur the wrath of Almighty God and of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul (Munificentissimus Deus, Selected Documenst of Pope Pius XII (Washington: National Catholic Welfare Conference), 38, 40, 44-45, 47).