History Essay

Prierias: Dialogue Against the Arrogant Theses of Martin Luther on the Power of

the Pope (1518)

Prierias was a Dominican Friar and an opponent of Martin Luther. In the following

excerpt, Prierias attempts to combat Lutheran doctrine by asserting Catholic

teachings on authority.

1. The true universal church in its power is the Roman Church, the head of all

churches, and the sovereign Pontiff. The Roman Church is represented by

the College of Cardinals, however in its power it is the Pope who is the head

of the Church…

2. As the universal church cannot err when it decides on faith or morals, so

also a true council cannot err if it does its best to know the

truth…Accordingly, the Roman Church and the pope cannot err when he in

his capacity as pope comes to a decision, that is, when he comes to a

decision in consequence of his office and thereby does his best to know the

truth.

3. Whoever does not hold to the teaching of the Roman Church and the pope

as infallible rule of faith, from which even Holy Scriptures draws its power

and authority, is a heretic.

4. …it follows that he is a heretic who wrongly interprets Scripture, so also is

he heretic who wrongly interprets the teachings and acts of the Church in

so far as they relate to faith and morals

Source: The European Reformations Sourcebook, Edited by Carter Lindberg