Is Feeneyism Catholic? - Society of St. Pius X

T HE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH 35
is regenerated in the heart, though not in body; thus the Apostle
says (Rom. 2:29) that “The circumcision is that of the heart, in
the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not of men but of
God.”
These Fathers and Doctors, far from being reproved by the
Church for their interpretation, have been followed unanimously
by the Church, as will be shown later. So, applying the principle
of Vatican I, it is clear that we ought to hold this same interpretation.
Explanation: The Church’s interpretation of these words (Jn.
3:5) is that the grace of baptism (res sacramenti) is absolutely necessary,
with no exceptions whatsoever, while the exterior water
(sacramentum tantum) is necessary “re aut voto–in fact or at least in
desire.” 43
First the grammatical analysis of the sentence itself shows that
the word “unless” falls directly and principally upon “reborn” and
obliquely and secondarily upon “by water and the Holy Ghost.” In
other words: what is necessary? Rebirth. How is one reborn? By
water and the Holy Ghost. The immediate context itself proves
this: Our Lord had just said that rebirth was necessary (“Amen,
amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God.” v.3). Nicodemus asked him: “how?” taking the
word “born” in a very material way. Our Lord answers, insisting
again on the necessity of the rebirth, and showing the means He
established for this rebirth, viz., the sacrament of baptism.
Now let us consider the whole context. Within six verses,
Our Lord speaks of a new birth five times (v.3, 5, 6, 7, 8), but of
water only once (v.5). Explaining what He had just said in the
verse in question, twice Our Lord says: “he who is born of the
Spirit,” (v.6, 8) without mentioning the water any more. Then in
the rest of His discourse to Nicodemus, He explains how this new
birth is by “living faith.”
Therefore, the emphasis of the whole passage is on the spiritual
rebirth, which is the grace signified and produced by the sacrament.
It is thus perfectly legitimate to interpret with the Fathers
that the absolute necessity applies to this spiritual rebirth, Our
43 Council of Trent, Dz. 796, 847.