8.54. But both Vatican I and Vatican II were ecumenical councils of the Church, so why accept one and reject the other?
The Catholic Church believes and teaches that true ecumenical councils—when validly convoked and approved by a true pope, and when they define doctrine on faith and morals—are protected from error by the Holy Ghost. These councils speak with the infallible authority of Christ, and must be accepted by all the faithful under pain of heresy.
Vatican I (1869–1870) was such a council. It solemnly defined the primacy and infallibility of the Roman Pontiff, reaffirmed the immutability of dogma, and anathematized the Modernist notion of evolving truth.
Vatican II, by contrast, explicitly declared itself pastoral, defined no dogmas, issued no anathemas, and taught ambiguous, novel doctrines—many of which contradict Vatican I itself. Therefore, it cannot be a true ecumenical council. For a council to be Catholic, it must profess and defend the Catholic Faith—not undermine it.
Below is a doctrinal comparison between Vatican I (a true council of the Church), and Vatican II (a non-Catholic, Modernist counter-council).
| Category | Vatican I (1869–1870) | Vatican II (1962–1965) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature of the Council | Dogmatic; defined doctrine on faith, morals, papacy, revelation | Pastoral; explicitly avoided defining dogma or issuing anathemas | A true council teaches infallibly and clearly; Vatican II chose ambiguity and novelty |
| Doctrinal Content | Reaffirmed Catholic dogma, condemned modern errors, upheld Tradition | Introduced new theology: ecumenism, religious liberty, collegiality, salvation outside the Church | Doctrinal contradictions prove Vatican II is not protected by the Holy Ghost |
| Infallibility | Declared papal infallibility under strict conditions (ex cathedra teaching) | Produced no infallible definitions; promoted vague “living tradition” | Infallibility means clarity and certainty—not evolving ambiguity |
| View of Tradition | Dogma must be held “in the same meaning and the same explanation” (Dei Filius) | Tradition is “living,” open to reinterpretation (*Dei Verbum* §8) | This redefinition of Tradition is Modernist and condemned by Vatican I |
| Role of the Church | The Church is the guardian of revealed truth, entrusted with its exact preservation | The Church “discerns truth” through dialogue, experience, and history | This reverses the Church’s role—from guardian to innovator |
| Authority of the Council | Universal and binding under pain of heresy | Pastoral only; even defenders admit it requires no assent of faith | If it binds no one doctrinally, then it is not part of the infallible Magisterium |
| Fruits | Strengthened Catholic identity; clear doctrine; obedience to the pope | Doctrinal confusion; moral collapse; empty seminaries; loss of vocations | “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matt. 7:16)—Vatican II’s fruits are rotten |
| Condemnation of Error | Condemned Modernism, Liberalism, Rationalism | Welcomed modern ideas like religious pluralism, ecumenism, and freedom of conscience | This is a reversal of condemned errors—a hallmark of heresy and apostasy |
| Continuity with the Past | In full doctrinal continuity with Trent, Florence, and all prior councils | Breaks with prior councils; contradicts Trent and Vatican I on key doctrines | A true council cannot contradict a previous council; Vatican II is a rupture |
Summary:
Vatican I is a true, infallible, Catholic ecumenical council. It taught clearly, condemned heresies, and defended the deposit of faith. It fulfills the conditions required for infallibility and binds all Catholics under pain of heresy.
Vatican II, by its own admission, was pastoral, deliberately avoided dogmatic definitions, and taught ambiguities and errors that contradict the Magisterium. It contradicted previous councils, led to the destruction of Catholic identity, and produced a new, counterfeit religion.
Therefore, Vatican II cannot be a true Catholic council. The Catholic Church is indefectible. A true council cannot promote heresy, error, confusion, or contradiction.
As Pope Pius IX taught:
“It is impossible for the Catholic Church ever to transform herself into something other than what she has been since her foundation.”