Theological notes
The theological notes designate a classification of certainty of beliefs in Catholic theology. While theological notes qualify positively beliefs and doctrines, said beliefs and doctrines are qualified negatively by theological censures. The theological notes' "enumeration, division and evaluation" vary between authors.
Authority of the notes
"he supreme organs for notes and censures are the Pope and the Ecumenical Councils. Limited competences attaches to the Roman Congregations, Provincial Synods and the individual bishops and major superiors of religious orders. The whole people of God is charged with the safeguarding of the true faith. Theologians have a special responsibility and thus are especially qualified to give theological notes though their authority is not one of jurisdiction. Their notes have the weight of 'professional' opinions and have often influenced the magisterium".Various classifications
Ludwig Ott
Immediately revealed truths
Catholic theologian Ludwig Ott considers that immediately revealed truths hold the "highest degree of certainty". "The belief due to them is based on the authority of God Revealing, and if the Church, through its teaching, vouches for the fact that a truth is contained in Revelation, one's certainty is then also based on the authority of the Infallible Teaching Authority of the Church. If Truths are defined by a solemn judgment of faith of the Pope or of a General Council, they are 'de fide definita.Catholic truths
Ludwig Ott says that there are Catholic beliefs which are church teachings, definitively decided on by the Magisterium, but not as being divine revelations properly speaking. Ludwig Ott calls the beliefs of this level Catholic truths, and states that beliefs of this level "are as infallibly certain as dogmas proper."Catholic truths are "doctrines and truths defined by the Church not as immediately revealed but as intrinsically connected with the truths of Revelation so that their denial would undermine the revealed truths . These are proposed for belief in virtue of the infallibility of the Church in teaching doctrines of faith or morals." They are called "Catholic Truths or Ecclesiastical Teachings to distinguish them from the Divine Truths or Divine Doctrines of Revelation." Ott continues:
''Sententia fidei proxima''
Ludwig Ott also adds the note sententia fidei proxima which refers to teachings, which are generally accepted as divine revelation by Catholic theologians but not defined as such by the Magisterium.Teaching pertaining to the faith
Ludwig Ott further states that teaching pertaining to the faith, or theologically certain, refers to theological conclusions; those are teachings without definitive approval by the Catholic Church, but " truth is guaranteed by intrinsic connection with the doctrine of revelation."''Sententia communis''
As per Ludwig Ott, sententia communis refers to beliefs which are generally accepted by theologians, but not dogmatically asserted.Examples of sententia communis beliefs which are cited by Ott include:
• The saints in heaven can help the souls in purgatory by intercession
• Dead people cannot receive sacraments
Theological opinions of lesser grades
Ott states:''Sommaire de théologie dogmatique''
The Sommaire de théologie dogmatique proposes the following theological notes:- Of Catholic faith : when a religious truth "has been revealed by God, is contained in Sacred Scripture or Tradition and has been solemnly defined as such by the Sovereign Pontiff or by an Ecumenical Council defining EX CATHEDRA – that is with the intention of defining – assuming all the required conditions are met. — Or if a truth is presented as such by the ordinary and universal Magisterium of the Church. "
- Of Divine faith : when a religious truth "is for sure contained in Holy Scriptures, but has not been solemnly defined by the Church. E.g.: the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. The same applies to truths revealed privately by God to a person, but for that person only."
- Catholic doctrine, certain : "When it is a truth deduced logically from two premises, one of which is formally revealed by God, and the other known by reason alone and not revealed elsewhere, nor contained implicitly in the revealed premise. The truth thus deduced is called THEOLOGICAL CONCLUSION. Many formally but implicitly revealed truths are considered CERTAIN until they are solemnly defined."
- Common : "It is a truth taught by almost all theologians and opposed by only a few of mediocre authority, but which is nevertheless not disavowed by the Church."
- Probable, more probable : "It is a proposal supported by eminent theologians approved by the Ecclesiastical Authority — and which, at the same time, is opposed by other equally eminent theologians. The degree of probability can be based either on the number and authority of theologians who support this proposition, or on the value of the arguments provided."
John Hardon