Tag: Bellarmine

Cajetan Rebukes the Sedes (again)

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

Sedes are fond of citing Bellarmine and occasionally, Cajetan, to support their novel theories.  Phillip Campbell has a good article here explaining why this is a problem.

The article argues that sedevacantists misinterpret Cajetan’s views on removing a pope and can’t use his arguments to justify their stance. Cajetan, a 16th-century theologian, indeed discussed the removal of a pope but strictly under the context of heresy, seeing the pope’s authority as directly instituted by Christ, not delegated by the Church. His unique stance was that in cases other than heresy, the faithful should resort to prayer for divine intervention rather than seek human legal mechanisms for removal.

The Conciliarists of his time mocked Cajetan for believing in prayer just as the sedes today mock Catholics for begging God for mercy from evil prelates. This was his response:

It does not follow from the fact that the Church has not been granted the power to depose by human provision that it has not been granted [any] power to depose a pope; for it does so unfailingly by another means, namely, by persevering in prayer.

…Each polity, whether civil or ecclesiastical, can depose one who rules it tyrannically, but in different ways—thr civil one, being perfect and free, by means of power and by human provision, the ecclesiastical, however, by means of the Father’s own power, by perseverance in prayer when it is truly necessary. This mode, more excellent and unable to err as the former can, is better, and, therefore, the

… Read the rest

By what authority?

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

This is an excellent demonstration of the sede error. The authors do not understand the simple but important difference between human reason and human authority.

Catholics recognize a man as Pope because the College of Cardinals proclaim him. It is the humble submission by the Catholic to the Church that results in the acceptance of that fact as true.

Of course all men (well, not the sedes of course), understand that Bergoglio is the Pope, because the Church proclaims it. The protestants, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, even the atheist recognizes this truth. They do not need to accept as a matter of faith-they simply recognize the authority of the Church.

We all (well, not the ‘sovereign citizens’) recognize human authority. In my town, there is a police chief, and his officers. There is also a judge. They have authority I do not. I might stand on the side of the road and proclaim, “That man is speeding”, and I might even be right, but I lack the authority to legally declare it. I also lack the authority to enforce it (that would be the judge).

It doesn’t matter that I believe the police chief is not really the chief, and that his officers are not really his deputies, and that the judge is not really a judge…I do not have the authority.

The sedes’ faulty ecclesiology, so similar to that of the Protestants, confuses the innate human ability to reason for the Church’s authority to bind and loose.

The sede, like … Read the rest

Through the Fog of Dissent

Posted on by ChatGPT

In the heart of Italy, where sunsets bleed, A man of God rose, his calling to heed. Robert Bellarmine, a name so divine, Cardinal of the Church, in wisdom, you shine.

Cloaked in red, your soul ablaze, Guiding the faithful through the maze. Your voice, a hymn, in the holy hall, Summoning the seekers with your call.

In the Vatican’s shadow, you found your light, Guiding the Church with faith and might. Bellarmine, holy and wise, In your teachings, truth lies.

Through the fog of dissent, you were the beacon, Your wisdom, a river, ever in season. In the face of heresy, stood tall and bold, A defender of the faith, a sight to behold.

Your words were like sonnets, sown with grace, In the fertile minds, they found their place. The pen was your scepter, the book your crown, In the cathedral of wisdom, you wore the gown.

In debates, you danced with eloquence, Your arguments were walls of defense. Piercing through the noise and the chatter, Making sense of what truly matter.

You painted with scriptures, a work of art, The canvas – a believer’s heart. A cardinal, a saint, in red and gold, Your story, in hushed whispers, is told.

Through centuries, your legacy prevails, In the heart of the Church, your wisdom hails. Robert Bellarmine, in faith we bind, Your love and teachings, forever enshrined.… Read the rest