What Is A Catholic
Certainly the Mystici Corporis Christi statement about membership in the Church is quite in line with the teaching of the De ecclesia militante. According to Pope Pius XII, four factors alone are necessary in order that a man be counted as a member of the true Church. These are (1) the reception of baptism, and thus the possession of the baptismal character, (2) the profession of the true faith, which is, of course, the faith of the Catholic Church, (3) the fact that a person has not cut himself away from the structure or the fabric of the "Body," which is, of course, the Church itself, and (4) the fact that a person has not been expelled from the membership of the Church by competent ecclesiastical authority. J.C. Fenton, American Ecclesiastical Review.Let us analyze these four points.(1) the reception of baptism, and thus the possession of the baptismal character, Canon 87: By baptism a person becomes a subject of the Church of Christ with all the rights and duties of a Christian, unless, in so far as rights are concerned, there is some obstacle impeding the bond of communion with the Church, or a censure inflicted by the Church. Although catechumens have certain rights, they are not considered members of the Church. Baptism makes us a member of the Church, but this is conditional. Cum Ex Apostolatus Officio summarizes the necessity of professing the Faith whole and entire without question. De Romano Pontifice, Saint Robert Bellarmine: Finally, the Holy Fathers teach unanimously not only that heretics are outside of the Church, but also that they are “ipso facto” deprived of all ecclesiastical jurisdiction and dignity. And Pope Leo XIII in Satis Cognitum: The practice of the Church has always been the same, as it is shown by the unanimous teaching of the Fathers, who were wont to hold as outside the Catholic communion, and alien to the Church, whoever would recede in the least degree from any point of doctrine proposed by her authoritative Magisterium. Epiphanius, Augustine, Theodoret, drew up a long list of heresies of their times. (3) the fact that a person has not cut himself away from the structure or the fabric of the "Body," which is, of course, the Church itself, and Pope Pius XII in Mystici Corporis Christi, paragraph 22 stated: Actually only those are to be included as members of the Church who have been baptized and profess the true faith, and who have not been so unfortunate as to separate themselves from the unity of the Body, or been excluded by legitimate authority for grave faults committed. In the next paragraph he stated: For not every sin, however grace it may be, is such as of its own nature to sever a man from the Body of the Church, as does schism or heresy or apostasy. (4) the fact that a person has not been expelled from the membership of the Church by competent ecclesiastical authority.See Mystici Corporis above under note 3.Therefore we can summarize, a Catholic is a baptized person who professes the Faith whole and entire without any question, and has not been excommunicated by the Church for some serious crime committed. Material schismatics, heretics and apostates are not Catholics, because they do not appear to be Catholics, whereas an occult schismatic or heretic would still be considered members, because they do not appear to be heretics or schismatics except possibly to one or two people. Wherefore, if any should presume to think in their hearts otherwise than as it has been defined by Us, which God avert, let them know and understand that they are condemned by their own judgment; that they have suffered shipwreck in regard to faith, and have revolted from the unity of the Church; and what is more, that by their own act they subject themselves to the penalties established by law, if, what they think in their heart, they should to signify by word or writing or any other external means. Ineffabilis Deus, December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX (DZ 1641)Pope Pius XII used similar words in defining the dogma of the Assumption in the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus, November 1, 1950: Therefore, if anyone, which may God forbid, should dare either to deny this, or voluntarily call into doubt what has been defined by Us, he should realize that he has cut himself off entirely from the divine and Catholic faith. Pope Michael requires all Catholics make the Profession of Faith and submit same to the Vatican In Exile in order to be enrolled as a Catholic. In case of danger of death or inability, the Profession of Faith may be made without such submission, provided it will be submitted when this again becomes possible. However, even without making said profession, a person can be bound by the laws of the Church.
Michael Fighting
