Note 306 — Chapter VII · PROPOSITIONS.

Theologians had a storehouse of epithets with which to characterize the various classes of propositions. A few of the more usual, with their significance, are given by Alberghini (Man. Qualificator. cap. xii, n. 1-18) as follows:—

Heretical—one which is contrary to Catholic truth.

Erroneous—that which does not directly contradict the faith, but some conclusion evidently deducible from the faith.

Savoring of heresy—not contradicting the faith by evident consequence, but by very probable and morally certain consequence.

Ill-sounding—that which has a double sense, one Catholic and the other heretic, but usually accepted in the latter.

Rash—that which is not governed by reason and lacks all authority.

Scandalous or offensive to pious ears—that which gives occasion to another to err, such as “heretics are to be tolerated and not to be slain.”

Schismatic or seditious—tending to disrupt the unity of the Church.

Impious—contrary to Catholic piety.

Insulting—defamatory of some Christian profession or illustrious person.

Blasphemous—insulting to God.

Simancas (Enchirid., Tit. xxiv) gives a similar list. Dandino (De Suspectis de Hæresi, pp. 477-512) a more elaborate exposition. There was no limit, however, to the vituperative vocabulary of the Church. A choice collection of additional ones will be found in the bull Auctorem fidei of Pius VI (1794), condemning the Jansenist Council of Pistoja.