THE DOCTRINE OF ST. AUGUSTINE

ON SANCTITY

STUDIES IN SACRED THEOLOGY

No. 91

The Doctrine of St. Augustine
on Sanctity

BY

EDWARD J CARNEY, O.S.F.S., S.T.L.

A DISSERTATION

SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE SCHOOL OF SACRED THEOLOGY OF THE
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SACRED THEOLOGY

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PREFACE

When the subject of the doctrine of St. Augustine on sanctity was first proposed to the writer, the original purpose included a consideration of both ontological and moral sanctity. However, since it was soon realized that the scope was too broad in view of the work required and the time allotted, it was decided to confine the study to ontological sanctity, since this was really first in time and the basis of moral sanctity. The only references to moral sanctity were to be those needed to give a better understanding of the particular phase of ontological sanctity under discussion.

The first chapter deals with the doctrine of Augustine as evidenced by his writings against the Manicheans, Donatists, and Pelagians. Each heresy is treated separately and is followed by Augustine's answer. In the second and third chapters an attempt is made to unite these separate refutations of Augustine into a composite view prescinding from any polemical issues. For this purpose use has been made of other writings of Augustine not concerned with the three enumerated heresies.

One idea prominent throughout Augustine's writings is that in the union of many members in the Body of Christ each one not only shares in the life of the Body but also contributes something toward the sanctification of the whole. In making acknowledgments for help received in this study the writer has such an idea in mind. The whole work is a unit springing from many sources— from the major and local superiors, Dr. J. Francis Tucker and Dr. Francis E. Fox, who presented the opportunity for this advanced study; from the major professor, Dr. Stanley Grabowski, who suggested the subject of the research and guided it to its completion; from Dr. Pascal Parente, who acted as reader; and finally from the work of the writer himself. Just as all these elements contributed toward the whole, so it is hoped that the doctrine of Augustine on sanctity may in turn have an influence on them.

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