Re: Re: Truth & Justice Petition

makes us reject the example of the saints as disproportioned to our state.
"They were saints," say we, "they are not like us." What then actually
happened? Saint Athanasius was a man called Athanasius, accused of many
crimes, condemned by such and such a council for such and such a crime. All
the bishops assented to it, and finally the Pope. What said they to those
who opposed this? That they disturbed the peace, that they created schism,
etc.

Zeal, light. Four kinds of persons: zeal without knowledge; knowledge
without zeal; neither knowledge nor zeal; both zeal and knowledge. The first
three condemned him. The last acquitted him, were excommunicated by the
Church and yet saved the Church.

869. If Saint Augustine came at the present time and was as little
authorised as his defenders, he would accomplish nothing. God directs His
Church well, by having sent him before with authority.

870. God has not wanted to absolve without the Church. As she has part in
the offence, He desires her to have part in the pardon. He associates her
with this power, as kings their parliaments. But if she absolves or binds
without God, she is no longer the Church. For, as in the case of parliament,
even if the king have pardoned a man, it must be ratified; but if parliament
ratifies without the king, or refuses to ratify on the order of the king, it
is no longer the parliament of the king, but a rebellious assembly.

871. The Church, the Pope. Unity, plurality.--Considering the Church as a
unity, the Pope, who is its head, is as the whole. Considering it as a
plurality, the Pope is only a part of it. The Fathers have considered the
Church now in the one way, now in the other. And thus they have spoken
differently of the Pope. (Saint Cyprian: Sacerdos Dei.)[216] But in
establishing one of these truths, the