Letters From Rome on the Council by Johann Joseph Ignaz von Döllinger

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By Charlotte Girard Posted on Nov 15, 2025
In Category - Philosophy
Döllinger, Johann Joseph Ignaz von, 1799-1890 Döllinger, Johann Joseph Ignaz von, 1799-1890
English
Ever wonder what really goes on behind closed doors at a major religious council? In the 1860s, a respected German theologian named Döllinger did something incredibly risky. He wrote anonymous letters from Rome, spilling the secrets of the First Vatican Council. This book is his smuggled-out report. It's a real-life political thriller about power, faith, and the intense battle over the doctrine of papal infallibility. Döllinger takes you inside the tense meetings and backroom deals, showing you the human drama behind a world-changing decision. Forget dry history—this is a gripping eyewitness account from a man who knew he was watching history pivot, and who desperately wanted the world to see it too.
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form the basis of Catholic doctrine on the relations of Church and State. The maxims that will have to be adopted, as well by the learned as in popular instruction, when once Papal Infallibility has been defined, are these:— The two powers, the temporal and spiritual, are in the hands of the Church, _i.e._ the Pope, who permits the former to be administered by kings and others, but only under his guidance and during his good pleasure (_ad nutum et potentiam sacerdotis_). It belongs to the spiritual power, according to the Divine commission and plenary jurisdiction bestowed on Peter, to appoint, and, if cause arise, to judge the temporal; and whoever opposes its regulations rebels against the ordinance of God. In a word, the absolute dominion of the Church over the State will next year come into force as a principle of Catholic faith, and become a factor to be reckoned with by every Commonwealth or State that has Catholic inhabitants; and by “Church” in this system must always be understood the Pope, and the Bishops who act under absolute control of the Pope. From the moment therefore when Papal Infallibility is proclaimed by the Council, the relations of all Governments to the Church are fundamentally changed. The Roman See is brought into the same position towards other States which it now occupies towards Italy in regard to the provinces formerly belonging to the States of the Church. All States find themselves, strictly speaking, in an attitude of permanent revolt against their lawful and divinely ordained suzerain, the Pope. He indeed on his side can and will tolerate much which properly ought not to be—for it has long been recognised in Rome that right, even though divine, by no means implies the duty of always exercising it. In numberless cases silence will be observed, or some such formula adopted as that of the Austrian Concordat, art. 14: “Temporum ratione habitâ Sua Sanctitas haud impedit,” etc. But that must only be understood “during good behaviour,” or so long as the times do not change or it seems expedient. In conscience every Catholic is bound to be guided, in the first instance, in political and social questions, by the directions or known will of his supreme lord and master the Pope, and of course, in the event of a conflict between his own Government and the Papal, to side with the latter. No Government therefore can hereafter count on the loyalty and obedience of its Catholic subjects, unless its measures and acts are such as to secure the sanction, or agreement of the Pope. As to non-Catholic Governments, moreover, the former declarations of Popes against heretical princes, which receive fresh life from the dogma of Infallibility, come into full force. If it is already a common complaint that in countries where the Government or the majority are Protestant, Catholics are treated with suspicion when they take any part in the service of the State, and are purposely excluded from the higher and more important posts, how will this be after the Council? THE FUTURE COUNCIL. (ALLG. ZEIT., JUNE 11, 1869.) We have received the following interesting information from a trustworthy person, who is returned to Germany after a long sojourn in Rome, where he was in a position, among other things, to get to know the projects for the Council. The relations of Pius IX. to the _Civiltà_ may be fully understood from the fact—attested by the officials of the Chancery—that the editors are regularly admitted to an audience with the Holy Father, like the prime minister, usually once a week, never...

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In 1869, Catholic bishops from around the world gathered in Rome for the First Vatican Council. The big question on the table: should the Pope be declared officially infallible? Johann Joseph Ignaz von Döllinger, a leading historian and theologian, was there. But he wasn't just observing. Under a fake name, he started writing detailed letters about what he saw—the arguments, the pressure tactics, the political maneuvering—and had them published in a German newspaper. This book collects those letters. It’s not a dry summary of theology; it's a blow-by-blow account of a high-stakes fight for the future of the Catholic Church.

Why You Should Read It

This book pulls back the curtain. Döllinger writes with the urgency of someone witnessing what he believes is a huge mistake. You feel the tension in the air, the frustration of bishops who felt steamrolled, and the sheer force of will pushing the doctrine through. It’s fascinating to see how ideas that seem set in stone today were once fiercely contested. Döllinger himself is a compelling figure—a deeply knowledgeable insider who becomes a critical whistleblower, making you think hard about authority, conscience, and how history gets made.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs who love primary sources, or anyone curious about how major religious institutions navigate change. If you enjoyed the behind-the-scenes drama of books like The Shoes of the Fisherman or shows about political conventions, you'll find this just as absorbing. It's a powerful reminder that the past was just as messy, complicated, and human as the present.



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Susan Clark
7 months ago

Comprehensive and well-researched.

5
5 out of 5 (1 User reviews )

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