1st of January, the commission discussed the nature of
the primacy. On the 11th of February, it took up the question of
infallibility. It was enquired: 1st, whether the infallibility of the
Roman Pontiff can be defined as an article of faith; 2nd, whether it ought
to be so defined? The first question was answered unanimously in the
affirmative. To the second, all, with one exception, replied, expressing
concurrence in the judgment that the subject ought not to be proposed to
the council unless it were demanded by the bishops. The wording of the
judgment is as follows: _Sententia commissionis est, nonnisi ad
postulationem episcoporum rei hujus propositionem ab apostolica sede
faciendam esse._ ("The judgment of the commission is that this subject
ought not to be proposed by the Apostolic See, except at the petition of
the bishops.") One member of the commission considered the discussion of
the subject inopportune. On account of his dissent, the chapter bearing on
infallibility was never completed.

Thus for a second time was the question of infallibility deliberately set
aside. As for Pius IX. himself, he had no desire any more than he had need
to propose that there should be a dogmatical definition. Even as his
predecessors in all preceding ages, he was conscious that his primacy was
complete. He had acted on this conviction, exercising his sublime
privilege with universal consent, in the face of all Christendom. In 1854,
1862 and 1867, the bishops had abundantly testified in his favor. If an
authoritative declaration was called for, it could only be on account of
the few who disputed and doubted, and the still smaller number who denied
that the Head of the Church on earth can neither err in faith and morals,
nor lead into error the church of which he is divinely constituted the
Supreme Teacher.

OPENING OF THE COUNCIL.

On the 7th of December, 1869--Vigil of the Immaculate Conception--Pius IX.,
attended by an imposing suite, repaired to the Church of the Twelve
Apostles, in order to inaugurate solemnly a period of nine days' prayer in
honor of the Blessed and Immaculate Mary. The following day, at an early
hour, the cannon of the Castle of St. Angelo announced to the holy city
the great event that had been so long looked forward to. As early as six
o'clock a.m. the three naves of St. Peter's were filled with a crowd of
the faithful, and all the approaches to the Basilica were thronged with
people. At nine o'clock was