Singulari quadam (Pius IX.)

Singulari quadam is an allocation by Pope Pius IX. which was published December 9, 1854 . In this allocation, the Pope deals with the errors of rationalism and indifferentism as well as with the basic idea of theological pluralism , and condemns them.

The allocation begins with the sentence:

"Singulari quadam perfusi laetitia exultamus in Domino, Venerabiles Fratres, cum vos hodierno die lateri Nostro frequentes adstare videamus, quos Nostrum gaudium et coronam iure possumus nuncupare."

"Imbued with a special joy we rejoice in the Lord, venerable brethren, because we see you, numerous, by our side today, you who we can rightly call our joy and our crown."

- Recueil des allocutions consistoriales, encycliques et autres lettres apostoliques citées dans l'encyclique et le Syllabus du 8 décembre 1864

background

The allocation Singulari quadam is the basis for the corresponding section of the Syllabus errorum , which castigates various errors of modern times. In addition to rationalism , indifferentism did not go unscathed.

The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary , which deals with the bull Ineffabilis Deus published on the previous day (December 8, 1854, exactly 10 years before the Quanta Cura and the Syllabus Errorum) , is also mentioned in the closing words of this allocation.

directive

Initially, the Pope announced that the high clergy had been called to be given new strength to pursue the salvation of the sheep entrusted to them.

Pope Pius IX deplores the tremendous errors which rioted in Catholic countries at this difficult time. He therefore points them out so that the forces of the clergy may be directed to combat them.

Secret societies and legislation in the Kingdom of Sardinia

The Pope laments the existence of those unbelievers who seek the utter annihilation of the religious cult. The members of the secret societies can also be assigned to them, which are united by their nefarious federation and shy away from any means to disrupt both the social and religious order (in Latin : " eisqui imprimis adnumerandi sunt clandestinarum societatum gregales, qui nefario inter se foedere coniuncti nullas non adhibent artes, ut quibusque violatis iuribus rem et sacram et publicam perturbent, evertant. "). The Pope, however, notes with satisfaction the present aversion of the people to the misdeeds of the unbelievers (in Latin: " fatendum est praesentis aetatis homines generatim abhorrere ab incredulorum pravitate ") and at the same time the religious disposition among them. This could either be due to the cruelty of the atrocities they committed, or to the fear of revolutions and uprisings. The number of those who brag about their disbelief is diminishing, according to the Pope (in Latin: “ imminutum esse patet perditorum numerum, qui incredulitate se iactent et glorientur ”).

This is good progress on the way to the truth, but there are still many hurdles.

One of them are those who formally belong to the religion and praise it by their words, but seek to diminish their authority through their actions, or who want to limit and subjugate it with the limits of the worldly order. No border of any kingdom should limit the church so that she can reach distant countries and embrace all peoples and nations and show them the way of salvation. For example, the Pope condemns a law in the Kingdom of Sardinia which aims to abolish ecclesiastical institutions and undermine, and if possible, destroy the rights of the Church.

rationalism

Nonetheless, there are well-read men who, while they call and praise religion as the most excellent gift of God, appreciate and glorify human reason to the extent that they equate it with religion in the most stupid way (in Latin : “ humanam nihilominus rationem tanto habent in pretio, tantopere extollunt, ut vel ipsi religioni aequiparandam stultissime putent ”). In her opinion, the philosophical and theological subjects should be given equal treatment. These, however, are based on the dogmas of faith, which there is nothing more steadfast or solid, while those are explained by human reason, than which there is nothing less clear, which is also shaky because of the diversity of minds and is prone to countless deceptions and deceit . (in Latin: " cum tamen illae fidei dogmatibus innitantur, quibus nihil firmius, nihil stabilius, istae vero humana explicentur atque illustrentur ratione, qua nihil incertius, utpote quae varia est pro ingeniorum varietate "). The shameful errors in which human reason becomes embroiled after the abolition of religious authority harms both religious and social order. It should be pointed out to the rationalists how presumptuous is the investigation of the mysteries which the gracious God deigned to reveal to us, as well as the attempt to grasp them with the impotence and confinement of the human mind. (in Latin: “ Demonstrandum illis est quantae sit arrogantiae pervestigare mysteria, quae revelare nobis dignatus est clementissimus Deus, eademque assequi, complectique audere humanae mentis imbecillitate et angustiis ”).

The worshipers of human reason, as the Pope calls it (in Latin : “ humanae rationis cultores ”), have forgotten what a grave and bitter wound was inflicted on human nature by the guilt of the first man . This includes the impenetrable darkness that has enveloped reason. Because of this, even the eminent thinkers of antiquity have soiled their writings with errors. Hardly anyone can claim that reason is sufficient to pursue the truth (in Latin: “ ecquis satis esse rationem ducat ad assequendam veritatem? ”). It cannot be denied that the aid of divine religion and heavenly grace are indispensable to the attainment of salvation. When Jesus Christ turned to his father, he had promised the revelation of the highest secrets of truths not to the wise and sensible who flaunt their theories, but to the humble who rely on faith (in Latin: “ altissima veritatum arcana patefacta haud esse affirmavit prudentibus et sapientibus huius saeculi, qui ingenio doctrinaque sua superbiunt, et praestare negant obsequium fidei, sed vero humilibus ac simplicibus hominibus, qui fidei divinae oraculo nituntur et conquiescunt ”).

The high clergy are supposed to impress this holy writing on those who so glorify the power of human reason that they venture with their help to examine and explain the sacraments. That is extremely nonsensical and inappropriate (in Latin : " qui humanae rationis vim usque adeo exaggerant, illius ut ope mysteria ipsa scrutari audeant atque explicare, quo nihil ineptius, nihil insanius "). Pope Pius IX incites those present to turn those people away from the corruption of mind by telling them that there is nothing more excellent than the indispensable authority of divine faith for salvation, which serves as a torch in darkness and a ladder to life.

Indifferentism

The Pope then turns against irredentism. It arises from the fact that some Catholics speculate that those who do not belong to the true Church of Christ can also achieve salvation. To suspect what kind of fate would happen to her after death was a consequence of the vain occasions on this depraved question.

The high clergy should with all their might drive this irreverent and hopeless view (that a way to salvation can be found in any religion ) from the minds of people. It must be confessed that no one outside the Roman Church can be redeemed and that it is the only arch of salvation. Nevertheless, the Pope and the clergy pray for the conversion of all peoples to Christ and dedicate their energies to the common salvation of the people (in Latin : " Ceterum [...] assiduas fundamus preces, ut omnes quaquaversus gentes ad Christum convertantur, communique hominum saluti pro viribus inserviamus " ).

These truths should be impressed on the believers so that they are not spoiled by false theories that promote religious indifferentism, which creeps and grows stronger in many places to the fate of souls (in Latin : “ Huiusmodi veritates defigendae altissime sunt fidelium mentibus, ne falsis corrumpi queant doctrinis eo spectantibus ut religionis foveant indifferentiam, quam ad exitium animarum serpere latius videmus ac roborari ”).

Furthermore, the Pope demands that the clergy should use all their powers to destroy and reject the errors mentioned above. He also praises those pious women who, not afraid of death, aroused admiration among people in distant lands with their charitable works . Pope Pius IX encourages the clergy to make efficient and frequent use of the sacraments and condemns the negligence that can now and then be observed.

Finally, the Pope recalls the extraordinary prerogative of the Immaculate Virgo Maria to be exempted from the common fate of our sex, in order to refute those who deny the corruption of human nature as a result of original sin and who exaggerate the powers of reason to endorse religion negate. May the Blessed Virgin, who has conquered and destroyed all heresies , also eradicate the hopeless error of rationalism by its roots, which in this wretched epoch afflicts not only secular society but also the Church (in Latin : “ Faxit tandem Virgo Beatissima , quae interemit ac perdidit universas haereses, ut hic etiam evellatur stirpitus, ac deleatur Rationalismi error perniciosissimus qui hac miserrima aetate non civilem modo societatem, sed vero etiam tantopere affligit et vexat Ecclesiam! "). She may also be at the side of the clergy who have come together and be their support in difficulties and advice in case of doubt. May the believers be given enough insight so that they do not deviate from the pastor's side, but rather hear his voice and go where he wants. Finally, the Pope blesses the clergy and their flock. ( grex )

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} Recueil des allocutions consistoriales, encycliques et autres lettres apostoliques citées dans l'cyclique et le Syllabus du 8 December 1864 , collection of the consistorial allocations, the encyclicals and other apostolic letters published in the encyclical and the syllabus of December 8, 1864 , pp. 334-344, in Latin and translated into French