Outside the dogmatic circle of doctrinal definition it enjoys the fullest and most distinct authorization.

The express command of the council caused it to be prepared by a special congregation of prelates and divines, and it was promulgated to the episcopate to be translated into the language of the people and expounded to them by all pastors.
It may be said of it that it is the only book which has the Catholic Church for its author.

It is a book which never can grow old; and in witness of that perennial quality, it may be mentioned that Cardinal Newman said that he never preached without using it in preparation.
It is an exponent of Catholic truth absolutely free from the danger of private, or national, or racial, or traditional bias--the very book Isaac Hecker was in need of.

Its plentiful use of Scripture; its confident appeal to antiquity; its perfect clearness; its completeness; its tone of conviction no less than its attitude of authority; make it to such minds as his the very all-sufficient organ of truth.

Furthermore, the entire system of doctrine and morals known to revealed religion finds here its adequate exposition.