Sensus Fidelium: With Special Reference to the Thought of Blessed John Henry Newman

Sensus fidelium simply means the “sense of the faithful” and refers to doctrinal truth recognised (sensed) by the whole body of the faithful. It has come to be a key concept in the development of Church doctrine and teaching, and Blessed John Henry Newman was an exponent of it, particularly through his essay on the topic: On Consulting the faithful in Matters of Doctrine. Kathleen Kirk examines just exactly what sensus fidelium is and how it can be viewed in the context of Newman’s own thought and teaching.

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