n its effects, of mysteries, both from
the analogy of things which are naturally known and from the connection
of the mysteries themselves with one another and with man's last end.
But never can reason be rendered capable of thoroughly understanding
mysteries as it does those truths which form its proper object. For
God's mysteries, in their very nature, so far surpass the reach of
created intellect, that, even when taught by revelation and received by
faith, they remain covered by faith itself, as by a veil, and shrouded,
as it were, in darkness as long as in this mortal life.

"But, although faith be above reason, there never can be a real
disagreement between them, since the same God who reveals mysteries and
infuses faith has given man's soul the light of reason, and God cannot
deny himself, nor can one truth ever contradict another. Wherefore the
empty shadow of such contradiction arises chiefly from this, that either
the doctrines of faith are not understood and set forth as the Church
really holds them, or that the vain devices and opinions of men are
mistaken for the dictates of reason. We therefore pronounce false every
assertion which is contrary to the enlightened truth of faith. Moreover,
the Church, which, together with her apostolic office of teaching,
is charged also with the guardianship of the deposits of faith, holds
likewise from God the right and the duty to condemn 'knowledge, falsely
so called,' 'lest any man be cheated by philosophy and vain deceit.'
Hence all the Christian faithful are not only forbidden to defend, as
legitimate conclusions of science, those opinions which are known to
be contrary to the doctrine of faith, especially when condemned by the
Church, but are rather absolutely bound to hold them for errors wearing
the deceitful appearance of truth."

THE VATICAN ANATHEMAS. "Not only is it impossible for faith and reason
ever to contradict each other, but they rather afford each other mutual
assistance. For right reason establishes the foundation of faith, and,
by the aid of its light, cultivates the science of divine things; and
faith, on the other hand, frees and preserves reason from errors, and
enriches it with knowledge of many kinds. So far, then, is the Church
from opposing the culture of human arts and sciences, that she rather
aids and promotes it in many ways. For she is not ignorant of nor does
she despise the advantages which flow from them to the life of man; on
the contr