POPE PAUL IV, BULL CUM EX APOSTOLATUS OFFICIO, FEB. 15, 1559: Ex cathedra 6. In addition, [by this Our Constitution, which is to remain valid in perpetuity, We enact, determine, decree and define:] THAT IF EVER AT ANY TIME IT SHALL APPEAR THAT ANY BISHOP, EVEN IF HE BE ACTING AS AN ARCHBISHOP, PATRIARCH OR PRIMATE; OR ANY CARDINAL OF THE AFORESAID ROMAN CHURCH, OR, AS HAS ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED, ANY LEGATE, OR EVEN THE ROMAN PONTIFF, PRIOR TO HIS PROMOTION OR HIS ELEVATION AS CARDINAL OR ROMAN PONTIFF, HAS DEVIATED FROM THE CATHOLIC FAITH OR FALLEN INTO SOME HERESY: (I) THE PROMOTION OR ELEVATION, EVEN IF IT SHALL HAVE BEEN UNCONTESTED AND BY THE UNANIMOUS ASSENT OF ALL THE CARDINALS, SHALL BE NULL, VOID AND WORTHLESS; (ii) it shall not be possible for it to acquire validity (nor for it to be said that it has thus acquired validity) through the acceptance of the office, of consecration, of subsequent authority, nor through possession of administration, nor through the putative enthronement of a Roman Pontiff, or Veneration, or obedience accorded to such by all, nor through the lapse of any period of time in the foregoing situation; (iii) it shall not be held as partially legitimate in any way… (vi) THOSE THUS PROMOTED OR ELEVATED SHALL BE DEPRIVED AUTOMATICALLY, AND WITHOUT NEED FOR ANY FURTHER DECLARATION, OF ALL DIGNITY, POSITION, HONOUR, TITLE, AUTHORITY, OFFICE AND POWER… 7. Finally, [by this Our Constitution, which is to remain valid in perpetuity, We] also [enact, determine, define and decree]: that any and all persons WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO THOSE THUS PROMOTED OR ELEVATED IF THEY HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY DEVIATED FROM THE FAITH, become heretics, incurred schism or provoked or committed any or all of these, be they members of anysoever of the following categories: (i) the clergy, secular and religious; (ii) the laity; (iii) the Cardinals [etc.]… SHALL BE PERMITTED AT ANY TIME TO WITHDRAW WITH IMPUNITY FROM OBEDIENCE and devotion to those thus promoted or elevated AND TO AVOID THEM AS WARLOCKS, HEATHENS, PUBLICANS, AND HERESIARCHS (the same subject persons, nevertheless, remaining bound by the duty of fidelity and obedience to any future Bishops, Archbishops, Patriarchs, Primates, Cardinals and Roman Pontiff canonically entering). 10. NO ONE AT ALL, THEREFORE, MAY INFRINGE THIS DOCUMENT OF OUR APPROBATION, RE-INTRODUCTION, SANCTION, STATUTE AND DEROGATION OF WILLS AND DECREES, OR BY RASH PRESUMPTION CONTRADICT IT. IF ANYONE, HOWEVER, SHOULD PRESUME TO ATTEMPT THIS, LET HIM KNOW THAT HE IS DESTINED TO INCUR THE WRATH OF ALMIGHTY GOD AND OF THE BLESSED APOSTLES, PETER AND PAUl. Given in Rome at Saint Peters in the year of the Incarnation of the Lord 1559, 15th February, in the fourth year of our Pontificate. + I, Paul, Bishop of the Catholic Church…”
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 12:36:27 +0000
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