Id Nostris Cordis - Text and Translation

Vatican II's commendable contradiction of the past

In this post, I want to document, over and against my more traditionalist Roman Catholic friends, that Vatican II did in fact reverse the magisterial teaching on the efficacy of Baptism. I’ve argued this in my video, so you can watch that for a more extensive treatment. I’ve pulled the text of Id Nostris Cordis from this volume written in the 19th century.

My argument is simple. Unitates Redintegratio very clearly sees Protestants meeting together for worship, prayer, and Bible reading, as evidence that these separated brethren still have efficacious Baptisms—and that the grace given in Baptism is efficacious is evidenced by these spiritual practices. However, the Council of Florence unequivocally says that heretics’s Baptisms, while valid, do not conduce to salvation or profit:

"The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics, can have a share in life eternal; but that they will go into the 'eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels' (Matthew 25:41), unless before death they are joined with Her; and that so important is the unity of this ecclesiastical body that only those remaining within this unity can profit by the sacraments of the Church unto salvation, and they alone can receive an eternal recompense for their fasts, their almsgivings, their other works of Christian piety and the duties of a Christian soldier. No one, let his almsgiving be as great as it may, no one, even if he pour out his blood for the Name of Christ, can be saved, unless he remain within the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church". The same council also ruled that those who die in original sin, but without mortal sin, will also find punishment in hell, but unequally: "But the souls of those who depart this life in actual mortal sin, or in original sin alone, go down straightaway to hell to be punished, but with unequal pains

Now, typically, traditionalist Roman Catholics argue that Vatican II and this declaration is compatible since the Protestants born in the 20th century were not responsible for the schism and were born into these communities. However, given the crusades against the Hussites, Wycliffites, and Waldensians were carried against communities that had those who were born into such communities (encouraging sieges against towns filled with men, women, and children), who were undoubtedly characterized by the same sorts of practices Vatican II notes as evidences of the efficacy of Baptism, the activities of the 15th century show that Vatican II’s teaching in fact contradicts Florence. The declaration of Florence here should be understood in light of the historical events that situated the declaration—and throughout the 1420s all the way to the 1480s, crusades were carried against schismatic communities which had, even by Roman Catholic lights, valid (but not efficacious) Baptisms.

I’ve provided the text of Id Nostris Cordis below to show that these crusades against the Hussites and Wycclifites as well as Waldensians were carried forward:

Latin Text

Id nostri cordis vota praecipue exposcunt, ut pro quibus super eorum ascribendis cœtui ipse omnium summus rerum opifex humanos languores perpeti voluit; nos, quibus gregis sui curam regimenque commisit, illos ab errorum praecipitiis vigilanti studio curemus, ut eorum saluti, divina nobis propiciante gratia, jugiter tendamus. Ad nostrum, qui desideranter in votis gerimus ut fides Catholica nostris prosperetur temporibus, et pravitas haeretica de finibus fidelium extirpetur.

Non sine displicentia grandi pervenit auditumque quod nonnulli iniquitatis filii, incolae provinciae Ebrodunensis, sectatores illius perniciosissimae et abominabilis sectae hominum malignorum pauperum de Lugduno, seu Valdensium occupatorum, qui dudum in partibus Pedemontanis et aliis circumvicinis, procurante satore malorum operum, per studiosa diverticula et latebrosa, oves Deo dicatas illaqueare, et demum ad perditionem animarum perducere, mortifera sagacitate conatur, damnabiliter insurrexit, sub quadam simulata sanctitatis specie, in reprobum sensum ducti a via veritatis vehementer abhorreant, et superstitiosas ac haereticas ceremonias sectantes, quam plurima orthodoxae fidei contraria et oculos Divinae Maiestatis offendentia, ac gravissimum in se animarum periculum continentia dicunt, faciunt et committunt.

Et cum dilectus filius Blasius de Monte Regali, ordinis Praedicatorum et theologiae professor, inquisitor generalis in partibus illis, per olim generalem magistrum dicti ordinis, et deinde per dilectum filium nostrum Dominicum, sancti Clementis presbyterum cardinalem, in partibus illis apostolicae sedis legatum, et demum per felicis recordationis Sixtum Papam IV, immediatum predecessorem nostrum ad huiusmodi et alios quoscumque errores extirpandos destinatus, ad provinciam ipsam se contulisset, ut eos ad iurandum Errores praedictos, et veram Christi fidem profitendam induceret, more duri aspidis aures suas obturantes, nedum pessimos et perversos errores suos deposuerunt, maxima mala malis addentes, illas publice praedicare, et praedicationibus alios Christi fideles in eosdem errores protrahere, eiusdem inquisitoris excommunicationes et interdicta, aliasque censuras vilipendere, domum habitationis eiusdem subvertere, et quae in ea erant nonnullorumque aliorum fidelium bona diripere, eiusdemque inquisitoris famulum interficere, certamen hostili more inire; illorum dominis temporalibus resistere, et illorum bona depraedari, ipsosque et eorum familias a suis parochiis perfugas facere, domus incendere seu evertere, et a redditibus privatos tenere, et quae potuerint eis damna inferre, infinita quoque alia detestabilia ac abhorenda facinora perpetrare veriti non fuerunt detestabilem et premissos ipsius execrandos errores ne propagentur ulterius, neve per eos corda fidelium damnabiliter corrumpantur ab Ecclesia Catholica, prout ex debito pastoralis officii tenemur evel-
lere et radicitus extirpare, ac huiusmodi temerarios ausus reprimere cupientes, omnes conatus nostros adhibere, omnemque sollicitudinem impendere decrevimus. Ac sumentes de tuis literarum scientia, consilii maturitate, fidei zelo, et in agendis experientia in Domino fiduciam specialem, pariter et sperantes quod ea quae tibi pro huiusmodi extirpandis erroribus committenda duxerimus, probe et laudabiliter exequeris, te nostram et Apostolicae Sedis nuncium et commissarium, ad dominia dilecti filii Caroli Sabaudiae Ducis ac Delphinatum, Viennen civitatem et diocesem Sedunensem, et illis adjacentes provincias, civitates, terras et loca quaecumque, pro hac Dei et fidei causa impraesentiarum duximus destinandum, ut eundem officii liberum exercitium recipi et admitti facias, et eorundem nefandissimos Valdensium sectae sectatores, et alios haereticae pravitatis cuiuslibet labe pollutos ad abjurandum eorum errores et parendum mandatis inquisitoris.

Sitoris eiusdem et tuis, opportunis remediis inducas; et ut id tanto facilius efficere valeas, quanto maior fuerit tibi per nos data facultas, et auctoritas attributa tibi, per te vel alium seu alios movendi et instantissime requirendi universos archiepiscopos et episcopos in ducatu, Delphinatu, et adjacentibus locis praedictis constitutos, quos in partem sollicitudinis nobiscum evocavit Altissimus, eisque in virtute sanctae obedientiae mandandi ut, una cum venerabilibus fratribus nostris locorum ordinariis vel eorum vicariis, seu officialibus generalibus in quorum civitatibus et dioecesibus duxeris, ad praemissa procedendum et iniunctum tibi officium exequendum, et cum inquisitore praefato viro, utique litterarum scientia praedito, et fervore fidei et zelo salutis animarum accenso, se tibi in praemissis assistere et una tecum ad eorum executionem procedere potuerint vel voluerint.

Adversus Valdenses praedictos et alios quoscumque haereticos armis insurgant, eosque veluti aspides venenosos communicatis invicem processibus conculcent; et ut populi eorum cura credi in confessione verae fidei persistant et roborentur, diligenter procurent; et ad corundem haeretico Rum tam sanctam tamque pernecessariam exterminationem et dissipationem adhibeant omnes conatus, omnemque sollicitudinem impendant promptis animis ut teneantur, nilque ex his quae ad id conferre possint omittant requirendi.

Insuper tam carissimum in Christo filium nostrum Carolum, Francorum regem illustrem, et dilectos filios nobiles viros Carolum Sabaudiae, et locorum adjacentium praedictorum duces, principes, comites et temporales dominos civitatum, terrarum et locorum universitates, et superioris Alemaniae confederatos, et alios quoscumque Christo fideles illorum partium, ut clypeum defensionis orthodoxae fidei, quam in susceptione sacri baptismatis professi sunt, et causae Domini nostri Iesu Christi, per quam reges regnant et domini dominantur, assumant Latae sententiae poenas quibuscumque idoneis verbi Dei praedicatoribus, secularibus et cuiuscumque ordinis, etiam mendicantium exemptis et non exemptis regularibus, ut eosdem fideles excitare et inflammare debeant ad huiusmodi labem vi et armis de medio exterminandam, et ut suis viribus et facultatibus occurrant ad commune periculum repellendum mandandi.

Absolvendi insuper sic crucem assumentes, pugnantes, vel contribuentes et consentientes, ab omnibus et singulis ecclesiasticis sententiis, censuris et poenis quibus forsan qualitercumque ligati forent, praeterquam ab hodie specialiter latis, a quibus ligatos praevia satisfactione vel parte consentiente duntaxat absolvendi. Nec non cum eis dispensandi super irregularitate divinis se immiscendi, vel ex apostasia qualibet contracta et super occulte vel male perceptis, ac bonis indebite acquisitis incertis, in expugnationem haereticorum duntaxat convertendi, concordandi et componendi; quaecumque etiam cum iuramento peregrinationis et abstinentia ac alia emissa vota, castitatis et ingressus religionis Ultramarino et visitationis liminum apostolicorum, et ecclesiae sancti Jacobi in Compostella votis duntaxat exceptis, in defensionem Catholicae fidei contra haereticos, venientibus et pugnantibus seu ad id contribuentibus vel tantum dantibus quantum verisimiliter exposituri essent in transitu ad loca debita, vel aliis debitis, pensatis locorum et personarum qualitatibus, prout tibi seu per te ad hoc deputandis confessoribus idoneis videbitur in hoc ipsum commutandi.

Interea super ipsa cruciata et congregando exercitu in ducem belli et capitaneum unum vel plures, idoneos nostro et ecclesiae Romanae nomine eligendi, deputandi et confirmandi, et ut onus hoc ad laudem et defensionem fidei suscipere, et fideliter gerere, et ut reliqui omnes ei vel eis obediant pariter et intendant, iniungendi et mandandi, bona quaecumque mobilia et immobilia haereticorum quibuscumque licite occupandi et concedendi, ac ea quae haeretici ad terras Catholicorum vel ex terris Catholicorum ducerent aut usui facerent in praedam dandi.

Translation:

Our hearty desires chiefly tend to this, that as touching those for the gaining of whom to the church the supreme Maker of all things was pleased himself to undergo human infirmities, we, to whom he hath committed the care and government of his flock, may, with all watchful industry, endeavour to withdraw them from the precipices of errors, that providing for their salvation, as it shall please God to favour us with grace, we may continually labour, that the Catholic faith may in our times be propagated, and the evil of heresy be rooted out from the borders of the faithful.

We have heard, and it is come to our knowledge, not without much displeasure, that certain sons of iniquity, inhabitants of the province of Evreux, followers of that abominable and pernicious sect.

Malignant men, who are called the poor people of Lyons, or the Waldenses, who have long ago endeavored in Piedmont and other neighboring parts, by the instigation of him who is the sower of evil works, through by-ways, purposely sought out, and hidden precipices, to ensnare the sheep belonging unto God, and at last to bring them to the perdition of their souls by deadly cunning, are damnably risen up under a feigned pretense of holiness, being led into a reprobate sense, and do greatly err from the way of truth; and following superstitious and heretical ceremonies, do say, act, and commit very many things contrary to the orthodox faith, offensive to the eyes of the Divine Majesty, and which do occasion a very great hazard of souls.

And whereas our beloved son, Blasius de Monte Regali, of the Preacher's Order, and professor of divinity, and general inquisitor in those parts, was appointed heretofore by the general master of the said order, and afterward by our beloved son, Dominicus, priest of St. Clement, and cardinal, and legate of the apostolic see in those parts; and lastly, by our immediate predecessor of blessed memory, Pope Sixtus IV to extirpate such like and all other errors whatsoever, having transported himself unto that province, that he might induce them to abjure the errors aforesaid, and to make profession of the true Christian faith, they were so far from leaving their most wicked and perverse errors, that, stopping their ears like the deaf adder, adding greatly evil to evil, they did preach publicly those errors, and, by their preaching, did draw other Christian believers thereunto; despising the excommunications, and prohibitions, and other censures of the same inquisitor, overthrowing the house of his habitation, and the things that were therein, as also plundering the goods of some others, true believers, killing the servant of the same inquisitor, and waging a war in a hostile manner, resisting their temporal lords, and making spoil of their goods, forcing them and their families to flee from their parishes, burning and demolishing their houses, depriving them of all their revenues, and doing them all the harm they could; together with an infinite number of other detestable and horrible acts, which they were not afraid to commit to use all our endeavors, and to employ all our care, as we are bound by the duty of our pastoral charge, to root up and extirpate such a detestable sect, and the foresaid execrable errors, that they may not spread further, and that the hearts of believers may not be damnably perverted from the Catholic Church; and to repress such rash undertakings. And having special confidence in the Lord concerning your learning, your ripeness in counsel, your zeal in the faith, and your experience in the management of affairs; and in like manner hoping that you will truly and faithfully execute the things which we shall think good to commit unto you for the extirpating of such errors, we have thought good to constitute you at this time, for this cause of God and the faith, the nuncio commissioner of us, and of the Apostolical See, within the dominions of our beloved son, Charles, Duke of Savoy, and the Delphinate, and the cities and diocese of Vienne and Sedun, and the adjacent provinces, cities, lands, and places whatsoever, to the end you should cause the same inquisitor to be received and admitted to the free exercise of his office, and that you should induce the followers of the same to abjure their errors and submit to the mandates of the inquisitor, followers of the most wicked sect of the Waldenses, and all others polluted with any other heretical corruption whatsoever, to abjure their errors, and to obey the commandments of the same inquisitor, and give way to your seasonable remedies. And that you may do this so much the more easily, by how much the greater power and authority is given you by us, to wit, a power that by yourself, or by some other person or persons, you may admonish and require most urgently all archbishops and bishops seated in the Duchy, Delphinate, and the other forenamed adjacent places, whom the Most High hath called to share with us in our cares, and command them, by virtue of holy obedience, that, together with our venerable brethren the ordinaries of the places, or their vicars, or general officials, in whose cities and dioceses you shall think fit to proceed with the orders, and to execute the office which is enjoined you with the forenamed inquisitor, a man no doubt endued with learning and fervent zeal for the salvation of souls, they do assist you in the orders; and together with you be able and willing to proceed to the execution thereof against the forenamed Waldenses, and all other heretics whatsoever, to rise up in arms against them, and by a joint communication of processes, to tread them under foot as venomous adders, and to procure diligently that the people committed to their charge do persist in the confession of the true faith, and be confirmed therein; and that they do with a ready mind, as they are bound, use all their endeavours, and bestow all their care towards so holy and so necessary an extermination and dispersion of the same heretics: and they are to be required to omit nothing which may contribute thereunto.

Moreover, that Charles, our most beloved son in Christ, the illustrious King of France, and our beloved sons, the noble Charles of Savoy, and the dukes of the adjacent forenamed places, and the princes, earls, and temporal lords of the cities, territories, and universities, and the confederates of High Germany, and all others of those parts who are believers in Christ, do take up the shield of the orthodox faith, which they did profess when they were baptized, and of the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom kings reign, and lords bear rule.

The sentence of excommunication, already given to all fit preachers of God's word, seculars and regulars, of what order soever, also of the mendicants, exempted and not exempted, that they stir up and inflame the same believers, to root out this kind of pest by force of arms, and to set themselves against the common danger with their best strength and faculties.

And moreover, to absolve such as thus take up the cross, fighting, or contributing, or consenting thereunto, from all and every ecclesiastical sentences, censures, and penalties, wherewith happily they may in any wise be bound; except from such as this day in a special manner are denounced, from which they that are bound therewith are to be absolved by a previous satisfaction, or alone by the consent of the party. And also to dispense with them, concerning the irregularity contracted by intrusion into holy things, or by reason of any kind of apostasy; or concerning goods secretly and unjustly gotten, or uncertain goods unduly purchased, to agree and compound, that they may be applied only to the war against heretics. Also to exchange all vows made with an oath of pilgrimage and abstinence, and other the like vows, except only those of chastity, and of entering into religious orders, and going beyond the seas, and of visiting the thresholds of the apostles, and the church of St. James, in Compostella, to them that go to fight for the defence of the Catholic faith against the heretics, or to such as contribute thereunto, or do give so much as in all likelihood they would expend in passing to those places, or as the due qualities of places and persons being considered, it shall seem good to you, or to fit confessors by you to be deputed.

In the meantime, to choose, depute, and confirm one or more fit generals of war, and captains, for the collecting of the crusade army, in our name, and in the name of the Church of Rome, and command them that they take this burden upon them, and execute it faithfully for the praise and defence of the faith; and that all others do endeavour jointly to obey him or them: and to enjoin, that all the movable and immovable goods of the heretics may be lawfully seized and taken away by anybody whatsoever; and to make a booty of all goods which the heretics bring, or cause to be brought, unto the territories of the faithful.