Apologeticae sive Theologiae Fundamentalis, Tomus II (Pars Altera): Demonstratio Catholica

1. Explanation. a) A religious order is a society approved by the Church, "in which the members, according to the proper laws of the society itself, profess (solemn) vows, and thus tend to evangelical perfection".¹ The essence of the religious state, which is common to all orders, consists in the three solemn vows of poverty, chastity and obedience; the diverse laws (rules, constitutions, statutes) are, as it were, the specific difference by which one order differs from another.

b) The approval does not concern the goodness of the three vows, since these are commended by the Lord Himself (evangelical counsels); but it concerns the goodness of the rule, according to which the individual orders observe the vows and apply themselves to perfection. In every approval, moreover, two judgments are to be distinguished: the doctrinal and the prudential. The former touches the conformity of the particular rule with the doctrine of faith and morals; the latter pertains to the suitability of the proposed rule and of the respective order. We affirm that the Church is infallible not in rendering a prudential judgment, but in rendering a doctrinal judgment. Moreover:

c) A twofold form of approval is to be distinguished, namely: simple and solemn approval. Through the former the Church only declares that such an institute is praiseworthy and that the faithful can safely enter it; the latter, however, is the definitive sentence of the Supreme Pontiff, by which a given institute becomes formally and definitively an order in the proper sense. In this sole solemn approval we say that the Church is infallible.

2. Proof. a) From the end of infallibility. The Supreme Pontiff solemnly approving a religious order peremptorily declares to the whole Church that this manner of life is conformable to good morals and to evangelical perfection itself. But if the Supreme Pontiff were to err in rendering this judgment, he would surely err in matters of morals. Therefore he is infallible in approving religious orders.

b) From the practice of the Church. The Supreme Pontiffs, in approving religious orders, use words so weighty that they clearly indicate that they are rendering a definitive and therefore infallible sentence. The common formula of the approvals is this: "Therefore let no man be allowed to infringe this page of our approval or to contravene it with rash daring; but if anyone shall presume to attempt this, let him know that he will incur the indignation of almighty God and of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul." Sometimes, moreover, the penalty of excommunication is inflicted upon those who impugn the approval, e.g., in the bull of Gregory XIII "Ascendente Domino", by which the institute of the Society of Jesus is confirmed. These formulas and penalties openly suppose that the Supreme Pontiffs approving religious orders are immune from error.