It insists that the state has no rights over any thing which it declares to be in its domain, and that Protestantism, being a mere rebellion, has no rights at all; that even in Protestant communities the Catholic bishop is the only lawful spiritual pastor.
It is plain, therefore, that of professing Christians the vast majority are Catholic; and such is the authoritative demand of the papacy for supremacy, that, in any survey of the present religious condition of Christendom, regard must be mainly had to its acts.

Its movements are guided by the highest intelligence and skill.

Catholicism obeys the orders of one man, and has therefore a unity, a compactness, a power, which Protestant denominations do not possess.

Moreover, it derives inestimable strength from the souvenirs of the great name of Rome.
Unembarrassed by any hesitating sentiment, the papacy has contemplated the coming intellectual crisis.

It has pronounced its decision, and occupied what seems to it to be the most advantageous ground.
This definition of position we find in the acts of the late Vatican Council.
THE OECUMENICAL COUNCIL.