communion between the supreme head and the pastors and their flocks ; or who make this communion sub- servient to the secular power, contending that what is settled by the Apostolic See, or under its authority, for the government of the Church, has neither force nor value unless it be confirmed by the consent of the secular power. And since by the divine right of the Apostolic primacy the Roman Pontiff is set over the universal Church, we also teach and declare that he is the supreme judge of the faithful, and that in all causes which may be de- cided by the Church one may appeal to his ruling, but that none may try the ruling of the Apostolic See, whose authority has no superior. Whence they have strayed from the right path of truth who hold that it is permissible to appeal from the judgments of the Roman Pontiffs to an oecumenical Council, as to an authority higher than that of the Roman Pontiff. [Chap. 3.] THE INFALLIBLE TEACHING OF THE ROMAN PONTIFF Further, this Holy See has ever held, the constant practice of the Church confirms, and the oecumenical Councils, especially those in which the East met the West in the bond of faith and charity, have de- 72 ROMAN CATHOLICISM clared that supreme teaching power is included in the Apostolic primacy, which the Roman Pontiff, as the