--- Dennis Martin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Popes and councils define doctrines officially (for which "ex
> cathedra" is the highest level) only when a debate has arisen over an
> interpretation of doctrine. If no serious challenge has ever been
> made to a doctrine, if one has an unbroken tradition, no official
> declaration is needed. It is very possible that this is true in the
> case at hand. Certainly the assertion of the descent into hell is
> very ancient; since it was contained in a creed that carried
> apostolic
> authority, a challenge would be unlikely.
Thank you Dennis. I think you have put the matter admirably clearly in
this and the rest of your posting.
Bill.
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