Feeneyism is another of those modern errors that just refuses to die, even though it has been so often definitively condemned by Popes, Catechisms, Canon Law, theologians, Saints, Doctors, the ordinary and universal Magisterium and finally the Extraordinary Magisterium itself.
The eminent theologian Fr. Marin Sola informs us, “From time to time certain heretics have affirmed that no adult can be saved without receiving baptism itself before he dies, however much he would burn with desire for it, and that it would do him no good unless he were washed with water. Baius (in a proposition condemned by Pope V) also taught that charity was not always joined to the remission of sins.” He goes on, “Against the second part (baptism of blood) there are hardly any adversaries, save for a few theologians who disagree over the manner in which martyrdom achieves its effect.”
1. When Peter Abelard (who did not dare deny baptism of blood, but questioned baptism of desire), he was opposed by St. Bernard and St. Bonaventure. Feeneyites side with a known heretic, and oppose these Doctors. The Doctors of the Church are entirely unanimous after the Middle Ages, in teaching the doctrine, and stating it cannot be denied that souls are saved by baptism of desire. Pius IX binds Catholics to obey the common and constant teaching of theologians, since this is guaranteed to be immune from error by the ordinary and universal teaching authority of the whole Church, and as Fr. Cekada and others have shown, the teaching on Baptism of desire and blood is binding on all Catholics under pain of objective mortal sin.
2. Pope Innocent II and III teach Baptism of Desire in Encyclical letters, see Denzinger 388 and 413. After this point, the question is clearly settled, as teh unanimous consensus of theological teaching in all the Catholic schools shows. Continuing with the Ordinary Magisterium, Pope Pius IX makes reference to it in several places and teaches it expressly in QCM, where he clearly says the invincibly ignorant who strive to fulfil the natural law and are ready to obey God will be saved by the efficacious virtue of divine light, because God will not allow anyone not guilty of deliberate sin to suffer eternal punishments. Baptism of water is not a virtue, and therefore this doesn't refer to it. Pius XII teaches it in MCC and in another authoritative statement ((AAS: XLIII (1951) p. 84)) affirms that an act of love of God suffices for an adult to obtain sanctifying grace.
3. Every single Catechism on the subject (Roman Catechism of Trent, Douay Catechism, Baltimore Catechism, Catechism of St. Pius X) that treats the subject teach it as certain that we can be saved by baptism of desire. Example, St. Pius X's Catechism,
17 Q. Can the absence of Baptism be supplied in any other way?
A. The absence of Baptism can be supplied by martyrdom, which is called Baptism of Blood, or by an act of perfect love of God, or of contrition, along with the desire, at least implicit, of Baptism, and this is called Baptism of Desire.
4. Even if it were not taught by the Extraordinary Magisterium that baptism is necessary in fact or in desire, the simple reality that it is so universally taught by the whole Church teaching for such a length of time would prove it belongs to the ordinary and universal Magisterium.
But there are two proofs from Trent. The first is that voto never refers to a mere disposition, but always to desire as causing the sacramental effect. In exactly, the same way, Trent says penance and the Eucharist can be received in voto.
But there is another proof, it is that Trent says that penance is necessary for salvation, in those who have fallen after baptism, just as baptism itself is necessary, in those who have not been regenerated.
But everyone knows, and most Feeneyites conceded, that penance is necessary in fact or in desire. Therefore, from this is it follows that baptism too is necessary in fact or in desire.
The mind of the Tridentine Fathers is confirmed in the Roman Catechism, and the mind of the Church later clearly seen in Her own canons, "“Baptism, the door and foundation of the Sacraments, in fact or at least in desire necessary unto salvation for all" (Can 737)
5. As for sedevacantist Feeneyites, to be consistent with your principles, that Popes can never authoritatively promulgate heresy, mustn't you claim at least that St. Pius X, Benedict XV and indeed all subsequent Popes after this law were never Popes? Or, if you admit the authority of the Roman Catechism, as you must, maybe it's all Popes since St. Pius V?
The Roman Catechism clearly says the same danger present for infants - the danger of death - is not present for adults, because when an accident unforeseen to the catechumen makes it impossible to receive water baptism, desire avails him to grace and justice, meaning he will be saved when he died. If the Catechism wanted to teach Feeneyism, it would say, these persons are damned, since it was impossible for them to be washed in the salutary waters of the sacrament.
Feeneyites simply don't understand the rule of Catholic Faith.
Topic: Father Kramer to the Feeneyites (Read 25703 times)