express the centre and test of Catholic unity. Ex cathedra is therefore equivalent to ex cathedra Petri, and distinguishes those acts of the successor of Peter which are done as supreme teacher of the whole Church.
The value of this phrase is great, inasmuch as it excludes all cavil and equivocation as to the acts of the Pontiff in any other capacity than that of Supreme Doctor of all Christians, and in any other subject-matter than the matters of faith and morals.
II. Secondly, the definition limits the range, or, to speak exactly, the object of infallibility, to the doctrine of faith and morals. It excludes therefore all other matter whatsoever.
The great commission or charter of the Church is, in the words of our Lord, 'Go ye therefore and teach all nations … teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.'[1]
In these words are contained five points.
1. First, the perpetuity and universality of the mission of the Church as the teacher of mankind.
2. Secondly, the deposit of the Truth and of the commandments, that is, of the Divine Faith and law entrusted to the Church.
3. Thirdly, the office of the Church, as the sole interpreter of the Faith and of the Law.
4. Fourthly, that it has the sole Divine jurisdiction existing upon earth, in matters of salvation, over the reason and the will of man.
- ↑ St. Matthew xxviii. 19, 20.
