…judges Francis’ idea on Grace
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No one, even if renewed by the grace of baptism, is able to overcome the snares of the devil or subdue the passions of the flesh unless he receives the daily help of God’s grace
No one is good by himself unless the One who alone is good grants him a sharing in himself. And this is attested by the declaration of the same pontiff in the same document, saying: ‘In times to come are we actually to judge what is right on the basis of the opinions of those who think they are indebted to themselves for the fact that they are good, who do not take into account the One whose grace they receive every day, and who are confident that they can attain to so much without him? In addition, no one, even if renewed by the grace of baptism, is able to overcome the snares of the devil or subdue the passions of the flesh unless he receives, through the daily help of God, the gift of perseverance in remaining good. And the teaching of the same prelate confirms this in the same pages, saying: ‘For although he had redeemed man from previous sins, nevertheless, knowing that he could sin again, he retained many means for healing him again, by which he might correct him even after those (subsequent sins), providing him with daily remedies: and if we do not support ourselves by relying upon these and trusting in them to no extent shall we be able to overcome human failings. For it is necessary that, just as we are victorious with his help, so, on the other hand, we are overcome without his help. (Denzinger-Hünermann 240-241. Celestine I. Letter Apostolica verba to the Bishops of Gaul, Canons on grace, Pseudo-Celestine Chapters or Indiculus, May 431 – Parts in English – Dz 131-132)
…judges Francis’ idea of the Roman Curia
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The first among the Churches
Since the occasion demands, kindly review the sanctions and cannons, you will find out which, after the Roman Church, is the second church, which the third… (Denzinger-Hünermann, 235. Celestine I, Epistle Manet beatum, March 11, 422)
