I thought I would quickly summarize where we are in this thread. The topic is the analysis of the letter of the Holy Office, and its approval of baptism of desire.

It states right in the letter that Pope Pius XII approved of it. Archbishop Cushing's introductory letter also states Pope Pius XII approved. Both were published together all over the world in the most popular Catholic books used by clergy and in seminaries. Pope Pius XII reigned for 5 more years and if he didn't approve, then he would have spoken up and condemned the publishing of the letters and reprimanded Archbishop Cushing and/or the remaining living Cardinal. This never happened of course.


So several of the Feeneyites then chimed in to say the letter was heretical. For example:

Stubborn said, ""The Letter" is in and of itself a double talking heretical docuмent"

Even Seven said, "Pope Pius XII said other things that were not in line with Catholic Teaching. I think it's very possible that he may have held the same opinion of this docuмent. He never publically approved of it though. That's what matters. I think if he would have, we might be looking forward to future condemnation of him."

and

"The fact that it (the letter) contains blatant heresy proves that it's not an act of any sort of Catholic authority."

Arvinger said, "This is Catholic dogma, not the heretical teaching of the 1949 Holy Office letter. "

So here we have three examples of claiming the letter of the Holy Office was heretical. Since we know Pope Pius XII approved of it, that is also to accuse him of condoning heresy.


Next, we do a quick comparison of Pope St. Pius X's catechism approved by Pope St. Pius X, and the letter of the Holy Office approved by Pope Pius XII:

Catechism of Pope St. Pius X, 1906:

"But if a man through no fault of his own is outside the Church, can he be saved? A. If he is outside the Church through no fault of his, that is, if he is in good faith, and if he has received Baptism, or at least has the implicit desire of Baptism; and if, moreover, he sincerely seeks the truth and does God's will as best he can such a man is indeed separated from the body of the Church, but is united to the soul of the Church and consequently is on the way of salvation"

Letter from the Holy Office, directly approved by Pope Pius XII, 1949:

"Therefore, that one may obtain eternal salvation, it is not always required that he be incorporated into the Church actually as a member, but it is necessary that at least he be united to her by desire and longing.

However, this desire need not always be explicit, as it is in catechumens; but when a person is involved in invincible ignorance God accepts also an implicit desire, so called because it is included in that good disposition of soul whereby a person wishes his will to be conformed to the will of God."


Anyone who knows basic English can see both say the same thing, and no one disputes this. So if you claim Pope Pius XII approved of heresy in the letter of the Holy Office, then you also have to conclude Pope St. Pius X approved of heresy in his catechism.

It's the end of the road for the Feeneyites.