Peter still lives, in the person of Pope Pius X., and in virtue of that prayer, and through the omnipotent power of God, Peter still “confirms his brethren,” and will continue to confirm them in the true and pure doctrine of Christ, until the final crack of doom.  As the venerable Bishop W.B.  Ullathorne wrote to Lady Chatterton, soon after the Vatican Council, i.e., 19th November, 1875:  “There is but one Church of Christ, with one truth, taught by one authority, received by all, believed by all within its pale; or there is no security for faith.  If we examine Our Lord’s words and acts, such a Church there is.  If we follow the inclinations of our fallen nature, ever averse to the control of authority, we there find the reason why so many who love this world, receive not the authority that He planted, to endure like His primal creation, to the end.”

“It is pleasant to human pride and independence to be a little god, having but oneself for an authority, and a light, and a law to oneself.  But does this or does it not contradict the fact that we are dependent beings, and that the Lord, He is God?  This spirit of independence, with self-sufficiency for its basis, and rebellion for its act, is just what Sacred Scripture ascribes to Satan” (p. 230).

True.  And it is just the reverse of the disposition that Christ demands from all who wish to enter into His One Fold:  for He declares with startling clearness that “unless we become as little children” (i.e., docile, submissive, trustful, etc.) “we shall not enter into the Kingdom of heaven,” which is His Church.

* * * * *

5.  Before proceeding further, it may be well here to draw a distinction between the Pope, considered as the supreme ruler, and the Pope, considered as the infallible ruler.  The reigning Pontiff, whosoever he may be, is always the Supreme Ruler, the Head of the Church, and the Vicar of Christ; but he is not, on all occasions, nor under all circumstances, the infallible ruler.

To guard against any mistake as to the meaning of our words, let us explain that infallibility is a gift, but not a gift that the Pope exercises every day, nor on every occasion, nor in addressing individuals, nor public audiences, nor is it a prerogative that can be invoked, except under special and indeed we may certainly add, very exceptional circumstances.  And further—­unlike other powers—­it can never be delegated to another.  The Pope himself is Infallible, but he cannot transfer nor communicate his Infallibility, even temporarily or for some special given occasion, to anyone else who may, in other respects, represent him, such as a Legate, Ambassador, or Nuncio.