The Catholic Controversy

After being repeatedly rebuffed in his attempts to re-evangelize Calvinist Protestants who would not listen to Catholic preaching for fear of reprisals, St. Francis turned to writing leaflets and inserting them into copies of his sermons, which he then posted on walls, slipped under doors and handing to whomever he could. Four years later, almost 72,000 had returned to the ancient Catholic Faith! These tracts have been compiled into a book and given the title The Catholic Controversy. The works are still as fresh and powerful today as they were then, and give some of the most compelling arguments against Protestantism that have ever been written, presenting a defense of the Catholic Faith that in some respects has never been equalled.

What reviewers say about this book:

"If you ever had any doubts about the truth of the Roman Catholic Faith, read this book. Saint Francis will set you straight!"

"St. Francis de Sales uses scripture like no other. His arguments are as persuasive today as they were then. For those looking to understand the biblical basis for Catholic teachings (i.e., purgatory, papal infallibility) this book is a must."

"This is a fantastic read, overflowing with strong arguments for classic Catholic doctrine."

Table of Contents

Introduction

St. Francis de sales and the origin of the catholic controversy

Author's general introduction (by st. Francis de sales)

PART I – MISSION (OF THE CHURCH)

The lack of mission in the ministers of the new pretended church leaves both them and their followers without excuse.
That the pretended reformers had no mediate mission either from the people or the bishops.
The pretended reformers had no immediate or extraordinary mission from God.
An answer to the two objections which are made by the supporters of the theory of immediate mission.
That the invisible church from which the innovators pretend to derive their mission is a figment; and that the true church of Christ is visible.
Answer to the objections made against the visibility of the church.
That in the church there are good and bad, predestinate and reprobate.
Answer to the objections of those who would have the church to consist of the predestinate alone.
That the church cannot perish.
The counterarguments of our adversaries, and the answers thereto.
That the church has never been dispersed nor hidden.
The church cannot err.
The ministers have violated the authority of the church.

PART II - THE RULE OF FAITH

Introduction

Article 1 - That the pretended reformers have violated holy scripture, the first rule of our faith

The scripture is a true rule of the Christian faith.
How jealous we should be of their integrity.
What are the sacred books of the Word of God.
First violation of the holy scriptures made by the reformers: by cutting off some of its parts.
Second violation of the scriptures: by the rule which these reformers bring forward to distinguish the sacred books from the others: and of some smaller parts they cut off from them according to this rule.
Answer to an objection.
How greatly the reformers have violated the integrity of the scriptures.
How the majesty of the scriptures has been violated in the interpretations and versions of the heretics.
Of the profanations contained in the versions made into the vulgar tongue.
Of the profanation of the scriptures through the facility they pretend there is in understanding scripture
On the profanation of the scriptures in the versified psalms used by the pretended reformers
Answer to objections, and conclusion of this first article

Article 2 – That the church of the pretenders has violated the apostolic traditions, the second rule of our faith

What is understood by apostolic traditions?
That there are apostolic traditions in the church

Article 3 – How the ministers have violated the authority of the church, the third rule of our faith

That we need some other rule besides the word of God
That the church is an infallible guide for our faith. That the true church is visible. Definition of the church
The catholic church is one. The first mark. It is under one visible head, that of the protestants is not.
Unity of the church (continued). Of the unity of the church in doctrine and belief. The true church must be one in its doctrine. The catholic church is united in belief, the so-called reformed church is not.
Of the sanctity of the church: second mark
Second mark (continued). The true church ought to be resplendent in miracles.
Sanctity of the church (continued). The catholic church is accompanied with miracles, the pretended is not
Sanctity of the church (continued). The spirit of prophecy ought to be in the true Church. The catholic church has the spirit of prophecy, the pretended has it not
Sanctity of the church (continued). The true church must practise the perfection of the Christian life.
Sanctity of the church (continued). The perfection of the evangelical life is practised in our Church; in the pretended, it is despised and given up
Of the universality or catholicity of the church: third mark
Catholicity of the church (continued). The true church must be ancient. The Catholic Church is most ancient, the pretended quite new
Catholicity of the church (continued0. The true church must be perpetual. Ours is perpetual, the pretended is not
Catholicity of the church (continued). The true church ought to be universal in place and persons. The catholic church is thus universal, the pretended is not
Catholicity of the church (continued). The true church must be fruitful. The catholic church is fruitful, the pretended barren
That the church is apostolic: fourth mark

Article 4 – That the ministers have violated the authority of councils, the fourth rule of our faith

Of the qualities of a true council
How holy and sacred is the authority of universal councils
How the ministers have despised and violated the authority of the church

Article 5 – That the ministers have violated the authority of the ancient fathers of the church, fifth rule of our faith

The authority of the ancient fathers is venerable

Article 6 – The authority of the pope, the sixth rule of our faith

First and second proofs. Of the first promise made to S.Peter: “Upon this rock I will build my church.”
Resolution of a difficulty
Third proof of the second promise made to S.Peter: “and I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven”
Fourth proof of the third promise made to S.Peter: “I have prayed for thee ...”
Fifth proof. The fulfilment of these promises: “feed my sheep”
Sixth proof from the order in which the evangelists name the apostles
Seventh proof of some other marks which are scattered throughout the scriptures of the primacy of S. Peter
Testimonies of the church to this fact
That S. Peter has had successors in the vicar-generalship of Our Lord. The conditions required for succeeding him
That the bishop of Rome is the true successor of S.Peter and head of the militant church
Short description of the life of S. Peter, and of the institution of his first successors
Confirmation of all the above by the titles which antiquity has given to the pope
In how great esteem the authority of the pope ought to be held
How the ministers have violated this authority

Article 7 – Miracles, the seventh rule of our faith

How important miracles are for confirming our faith
How greatly the ministers have violated the faith due to the testimony of miracles

Article 8 – Harmony of faith and reason, the eighth rule of our faith

That the teaching of the pretended reformers contradicts reason
That the analogy of the faith cannot serve as a rule to the ministers to establish their doctrine
Conclusion of the whole of this second part by a short enumeration of many excellences which are in the catholic doctrine as compared with the opinion of the heretics of our age

PART III – CHURCH DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS

Introduction

Article 1 – Of the sacraments

Of the name of sacrament
Of the form of the sacraments
Of the intention required in the administration of the sacraments

Article 2 – Purgatory

Introduction

Of the name of purgatory
Of those who have denied purgatory, and of the means of proving it
Of some passages of the scripture in which mention is made of a purgation after this life, and of a time and a place for it
Of another passage out of the New Testament to this effect
Of some other passages by which prayer, alms-deeds, and holy actions for the departed are authorized
Of certain other places of scripture by which we prove that some sins can be pardoned in the other world
Of some other places from which, by various consequences, is deduced the truth of purgatory
Of the councils which have received purgatory as an article of faith
Of the testimony of the ancient fathers to the truth of purgatory
Of two principal reasons, and of the testimonies of outsiders in favour of purgatory

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