Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. Schism is a breaking away, a division which disruptsunity. As a sin, it is the disruption of unity born of charity. Inspecial, it is the sin of cutting away from the unity of thefaithful under the rule of the Vicar of Christ; it is the refusalto submit to the rule and jurisdiction of the sovereignpontiff.
2. Schism is a grave sin, but it is not so grave as heresyand unbelief. Heresy cuts a person off from the unity of thefaithful just as schism does; but heresy adds to this the evil ofembracing false doctrine. {-When papal infallibilityand the primacy and jurisdiction ofthe sovereign pontiff weresolemnly defined, schism became a practical denial of truths of thefaith, and hence is itself heretical.-}
3. Schismatics lose the right to exercise spiritualpowers; they lose jurisdiction itself, and not merely its licituse.
4. It is right and just that schismatics, who severthemselves from the unity of the Church, should be punished by theChurch with the penalty their action invites, namely,excommunication.
"Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise.
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Thomas á Kempis
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"Try to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose the grace of God.
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Thomas á Kempis
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"A tree that is cultivated and guarded through the care of its owner produces its fruit at the expected time.
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St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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