Classic Texts

Paul IV's 'Cum ex Apostolatus' on a heretic pope: Text and commentaries

While everyone has an opinion on Paul IV's Apostolic Constitution 'Cum ex Apostolatus' and the heretic pope question, not everyone has read his text, or…

Mar 10

'Cum ex Apostolatus is still in force'—so said Abbé Henri Mouraux

Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre's long-time collaborator Abbé Henri Mouraux believed Pope Paul IV's bull on a heretic pope remained in force. What should we…

Mar 10

What did they find at St Thomas Aquinas' canonisation enquiry?

Sworn testimony of the life, death and miracles of St Thomas Aquinas by eyewitnesses and others in the know.

Mar 7

What does the law of fast and abstinence actually require?

Fr Henry Davis SJ explains the customs in force in the universal Church and in England in 1936.

Mar 5

Why Pope Pius XI wanted more Catholics to make the Spiritual Exercises ('Mens Nostra')

Pope Pius XI saw the Spiritual Exercises as a powerful remedy for modern distractions, moral decay, and the weakening of faith.

Feb 25

'Resisting the pope?'—Bellarmine on doubtful and tyrannical popes

The 'best' arguments for resisting the pope always miss important context.

Feb 17

Pius XI: The Spiritual Exercises and modernity (Meditantibus Nobis)

Pope Pius XI's Apostolic Letter 'Meditantibus Nobis' pays tribute to St Ignatius of Loyola and St Francis Xavier, and affirms their enduring importance.

Feb 13

Final nail in the Bellarmine 'resistance quote' coffin?

Cajetan, whom Bellarmine cites in the famous resistance quote itself, provides the definitive context against a 'Recognise and Resist' interpretation.

Feb 10

Why should I make an Ignatian Retreat?

The 'Spiritual Exercises' of St Ignatius Loyola can change lives. Fr Aloysius Ambruzzi SJ explains why.

Feb 6

How to defeat a destroyer pope

Cajetan's exhortation is very applicable to defeating a usurper 'pope' too.

Feb 4

How an evil pope could 'destroy the Church'—Cajetan's objections

Excluding the question of heresy from his discussion, Cajetan considers whether other reasons might justify deposing a pope.

Jan 27

Could a Pope destroy the Church? John de Torquemada answers

Cardinal Torquemada's list of ways this might happen doesn't include teaching heresy and errors, or imposing evil laws or a new religion.

Jan 24

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