The Consensus of the Church and Papal Infallibility - Paperback

by Sj Richard F. Costigan (Author)

In defining papal infallibility in 1870 the First Vatican Council asserted a strongly monarchical view: a papal definition of the faith is irreformable (infallible) by itself, and not from the consensus of the Church. These words explicitly reject Article 4 of the Gallican Declaration of 1682, which states that the pope cannot define the faith single-handedly, apart from the consensus of the Church (i. e., the bishops of the world). This book offers the first thorough analysis of the ecclesiological ideas of the Gallican theologians as expressed in their own writings. Previous studies of the debates at Vatican I fail to examine carefully the Gallican doctrine rejected by the council. Even leading historians, at that time and since, simply refer to the "Gallican view" without citing sources or clearly defining or understanding the Gallican thinkers. In contrast, this study facilitates a balanced and much-needed comparison of the differing Gallican and papalist ecclesiologies during the period 1682-1870.

After a concise introduction that defines the two schools of theology, Richard Costigan examines the thought of nine major theologians on the subject: Bossuet, Tournely, Orsi, Ballerini, Bailly, Bergier, La Luzerne, Muzzarelli, and Perrone. In his analysis of the research, Costigan finds that the "consensus of the Church" in the Gallican view is not a simple claim and does not generally demand ratification of a papal definition by the bishops after the pope issues it. Rather authority is to be exercised in conjunction with the rest of the episcopate in a collegial and consensual manner. This concept of consensus draws on the history of the early and medieval church and is seen as coherent with the doctrine later expressed in Vatican II's Lumen Gentium.

Without addressing present-day Catholic controversy, this study offers the necessary historical background for any ongoing discussion of the nature and exercise of papal authority.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Richard F. Costigan, S.J., is associate professor of theology at Loyola University and the author of Rohrbacher and the Ecclesiology of Ultramontanism.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

"This excellent study of five Gallican and four Ultramontane theologians of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries throws new light on Vatican I and the definition of papal infallibility. The Gallican doctrine, shared by the minority at Vatican I, came close to what Vatican II described as the collegiality of bishops. As he corrects frequent mistakes about the Gallicans' view of the Church's structure, Richard Costigan brings important material to the current debate on the reception of doctrine among the People of God."--George H. Tavard, Assumption Center, Brighton, MA

"A tour de force. . . . Costigan's scholarship is excellent. He is clear, concise, and thorough in bringing out important points in each thinker."--Margaret O'Gara, University of St. Michael's College

"Richard Costigan's scholarship fills a historical-theological gap for students of ecclesiology who work primarily in English. His careful study of Gallican theologians and their papalist counterparts is a must for all in any language who want a contextual understanding of what Vatican I taught about papal infallibility."--William L. Portier, University of Dayton

"[T]his is an excellent and scholarly historical study of the important preVatican I ecclesiologists [and] is also important for contemporary discussions on the issue of authority in the Church...In his study of Gallicanism, the author presents in a thorough and scholarly way what the Gallican theologians actually said about church authority and ecciesial consensus...This is an important contribution to ecclesiology and is strongly recommended for anyone interested in the contemporary Church." -- Lucien J. Richard, OMI, Catholic Library World

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Author Biography

Richard F. Costigan, SJ was associate professor of theology at Loyola University Chicago.