47. Let all the other sons of the Church bear in mind
that the efforts of these resolute laborers in the vineyard of the Lord should
be judged not only with equity and justice, but also with the greatest charity;
all moreover should abhor that intemperate zeal which imagines that whatever is
new should for that very reason be opposed or suspected. Let them bear in mind
above all that in the rules and laws promulgated by the Church there is
question of doctrine regarding faith and morals; and that in the immense matter
contained in the Sacred Books—legislative, historical, sapiential and
prophetical—there are but few texts whose sense has been defined by the
authority of the Church, nor are those more numerous about which the
teaching of the Holy Fathers is unanimous. There remain therefore many things,
and of the greatest importance, in the discussion and exposition of which the
skill and genius of Catholic commentators may and ought to be freely exercised,
so that each may contribute his part to the advantage of all, to the continued
progress of the sacred doctrine and to the defense and honor of the Church. (Pius
XII, “Divino Afflante Spiritu” (September 30, 1943), in The Papal Encyclicals,
ed. Claudia Carlen, 5 vols. [Ypsilanti, Mich.: The Pierian Press, 1990], 4:75)
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