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Historical Catholic Apologetics on the Council of Constance and the Decree Haec Sancta

Paulus Fabrolottus : The fifth argument that many adversaries take up is from the Council of Constance. At that time, in the fourth session of that council, it defined that a general council [concilium generale] has authority immediately from Christ, which all are held to obey, even if he be Papal in dignity. Thus, either the council was approved by a Roman Pontiff or it was not: either it is legitimate, or it is not. If it is legitimate and was approved, then it is also a matter of faith that a council is above a Pope. If it is illegitimate and rejected, it could not have deposed John XXIII, nor could it have elected Martin V. If Martin V was not legitimately elected and wasn’t a true Pope, though, then no Pope would be a true Pope in the Church, since they all succeed Martin. I respond: the council of Constance is approved and is legitimate in part, and is also rejected in part. Because the approval of the council depends on the Pope, and he can approve some decrees and reject others...
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An English Translation of Juan de Torquemada's Summa de Ecclesia, Book II, Chapter 110

Chapter CX. The Said Privileges of the Apostolic See are Proved and Confirmed by Arguments from Reason Since we have shown from the authority of the Sacred Scriptures and subsequently the expositions of the holy fathers and doctors that the Apostolic See necessarily cannot err in matters of faith and the salvation of men due to the divine promise of our Lord, it remains that we confirm this by arguments from reason.  The first is from what has been said above: that See is believed to be unerring in matters of faith whose teaching authority pertains to defining and determining what is to be believed by the Christian people with a Creed, and which dares to declare answers to questions of the faith in interpreting the Sacred Scriptures. This is clear; indeed, it seems most evident, as if it were a first principle, since no other than the authority and judgment of that See would be firm and certain concerning matters of faith about the condemnation of errors concerning the sacraments, ...
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Lelio Giordano's Florilegium of Medieval Authors on Immediate and Mediate Jurisdiction

 Lelio Giordano is not a very well-known figure from the Counter-Reformation. Despite his relative obscurity, his work on the powers of the Pope entitled A Treatise on the Greater and Capital Causes of Bishops to be Referred to the Pope, and on the Origin and Authority of the Roman See   presents a flurry of arguments in favor of the authority of Rome. Among other arguments is Giordano's supposition that the Medievals teach that jurisdiction cannot be had except by the Pope. He says: "the external streams of this jurisdiction [over the Church] flow forth from the fountain of the Supreme Pontiff, and, as is said, immediately." Thus, Giordano argues that the Supreme Pontiff's role in the Church can never pass away, seeing as it alone has immediate jurisdiction in the Church. The bishops, having jurisdiction only according to what the Supreme Pontiff affords them, are reliant upon the Pope for any jurisdiction whatsoever. But the bishops must have jurisdiction in the Chu...
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An English Translation of Juan de Torquemada's Summa de Ecclesia, Book II, Chapter 109

  Chapter CIX. That the Judgments of the Apostolic See in Matters of Faith and the Salvation of Men Necessarily Cannot Err That which was said in the previous chapter has given us the clearest light of understanding that the apostolic throne has been established by divine clemency with such firmness of truth that its judgment in matters of the faith cannot possibly err from the truth. It is proper that the See which, by the supreme disposition of counsel, has been appointed as teacher of the Faith and is the hinge of all that is taught to the churches concerning those matters which are of the Faith or necessary for the salvation of souls, should be endowed by God Himself, the author of all things, whose providence cannot be wrong, with this singular gift of infallibility.  As a sign of this reality, this firm name be placed first on the pontiff of that see by divine dispensation, that is, Peter, which means “rock” in the Syriac language. Thus does St. Gregory write in his 181...
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An English Translation of Juan de Torquemada's Summa de Ecclesia, Book II, Chapter 80

  Chapter LXXX. That the Roman Pontiff has Authority of Jurisdiction and Superior Power Greater than the Whole Universal Church Having well-considered what was most fully stated above, light has been shed on the subject such that anyone can know that the Roman Pontiff has greater superiority and authority of jurisdiction than the whole rest of the Church. We will demonstrate this conclusion concerning superiority by recalling some of what has already been said. The first proof is that every pastor has superior authority of governance and power of jurisdiction than the flock of which he is the shepherd, but the Roman Pontiff is shepherd over the universal Church. Therefore he has authority and power of jurisdiction superior to the universal Church. The consequence is sound. The major premise is clear from what has already been set forth. It is said by Christ to Peter and, through Peter, to the Roman Pontiff, “feed my sheep” in the last chapter of the Gospel of John. In whose words, ...
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The Voice of the Church and Infallible Tradition

 In the  last post  on the voice of the Church, we went over the fact that the Church has a voice/mind/mouth, and the fact that this voice is clear, at least enough to be recognized, in ecumenical councils and the universal opinion of teachers of the Faith. This time, I'd like us to take a look at the notion of infallible tradition broadly and how the voice of the Church plays into it.  Before we consider infallible tradition, though, it would be wise to consider tradition broadly. The Latin noun "trāditiō" comes from the verb "trādere," literally meaning to hand over. Tradition can be considered, therefore, anything which is handed over from one generation to the next. In the context of the Christian religion, there are various kinds of tradition. For example, a local church might have a tradition of singing certain hymns on particular Sundays. We are not considering this kind of local and unofficial tradition. Here, we will investigate infallible traditions, o...
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What is the Voice of the Church According to the Early Church?

In the first of several posts on the infallibility of the Church, I'd like to consider the Patristic notion of the knowledge possessed by the Church in her 'voice,' 'faith,' and 'mind.' In the same vein, I'd like to consider the expression of that knowledge in her 'confession,' 'preaching,' and the 'teaching.' Let's look at some quotes from the Fathers: "Now then let me finish what still remains to be said for the Article, 'In one Holy Catholic Church' , on which, though one might say many things, we will speak but briefly. It is called Catholic then because it extends over all the world, from one end of the earth to the other; and because it teaches universally and completely one and all the doctrines which ought to come to men's knowledge , concerning things both visible and invisible, heavenly and earthly," etc. (Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, Lecture 18, Chapter 23) "Having, as we ha...
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