Immaculate Conception of Mary (Biblical and Historical Analysis)
Introduction What is the Roman Catholic doctrine of “Immaculate Conception of Mary”? Let me quote the Pope Pius IX (1854): “ We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary , in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ , the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin , is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.” [1] · Mary is free from original sin. Mary was protected from original sin. She did not have a sin nature and was sinless. The seriousness with which the Roman Catholic church takes this dogma can be seen from the following quotes: Hence, if anyone shall dare - which God forbid! - to think otherwise than as has been defined by us, let him know and understand that he is condemned by his own judgment; that he has suffered