So, it appears that I am not the only one concerned about a certain sloppiness in appealing to the sensus fidelium. Pope Benedict XVI addressed the issue in his recent comments to the International Theological Commission. I think the Holy Father makes a key point: The sensus fidelium must cohere, in a sense, with what is known as the Vincentian canon, that is, what has been believed always, everywhere and by everyone. Theology proceeds from the faith and must cohere with the faith. When it doesn't, even if many people believe a given theological position, it can't be defended in terms of the sensus fidelium. I am sure many people will disagree with how the Holy Father views the matter. I am not one of those people.
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