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BOOK REVIEWS chapter treats on the role of faith in our discourse on God. The " material moves " of theological language are rendered intelligibile only in the light of faith, interpreted as a radical conformity to the divine intentionality. Whereas Professor Preller's aim is laudable and the performance suggestive , it will be surprising if there is not much stringent comment from even the more flexible of Thomists. There is so much that is not quite clear, e. g., the key notion of concept and conceptual system. Furthermore , it seems that many Thomistic positions on analogy, even if influenced by Cajetan, are not as "horrendously naive" (p. 19) as the author suggests. It is hard to see how the author could hope for a convincing performance without a more ample viewpoint. One feels that at least some cognizance of modern theories on analogy is demanded {e. g., that of Schillebeeckx and de Petter in their clear rejection of Cajetan). Likewise, the distinctly Kantian slant of the author's position might have been remedied by an incorporation of some elements of the transcendental method as favored by so many modern Thomists. However, that is to anticipate the dialogue that must result. Though this book may suffer {and merit) quite drastic refutation, honest questions have been asked and a highly intelligent attempt has been made to reinterpret the best of St. Thomas in the light of the best in modern linguistic philosophy. St. Mary's Mrmastery Wendouree, Victoria, Australia A. J. KELLY, c. ss. R. Infallibility of the Laity. By SAMUEL D. FEMIANO, C. S. B. New York: Herder and Herder, 1967. Pp. 155. $4.95. The growing interest in the thought of John Henry Newman has produced several recent studies which have attempted to trace the historic development of Newman's thought in particular areas. The present work carries the catchy title of "Infallibility of the Laity." The author's own phrase which designates the purpose of his undertaking, viz., "Newman's thought on the voice of the laity in the Church " (p. 3) , more accurately reflects the major portion of the book. Newman's prevailing interest was focused on the continuity and witness, especially doctrinal, of the Church with her beginnings, as evidenced by his researches on tradition and the development of doctrine. It is in this sense that "the gradual evolution of Newman's thought on the laity was linked to his studies on the Church and on tradition." (ibid.) The "legacy of Newman" has exerted its influence upon the periti of this century and found echoes in the teaching of Vatican II and more recently and explicitly BOOK REVIEWS 263 in the collective pastoral of the American hierarchy, The Church in our Day. One of the contributions of this legacy regards the infallibility of the laity. The " infallibility which the Roman Pontiff, the head of the college of bishops, enjoys in virtue of his office " is that " infallibility with which the divine Redeemer willed His Church to be endowed in defining a doctrine of faith and morals " (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, n. Q5; Vatican I, Pastor Aeternus, ch. 4) . Thus the Church as a whole, " the holy People of God, . . . spreads abroad a living witness to Him. . . . The body of the faithful as a whole ... cannot err in matters of belief ... it manifests this unerring quality when ' from the bishops down to the last member of the laity,' it shows universal agreement in matters of faith and morals" (Luman Gentium, n. IQ) . In what does the infallibility of the laity consist? Father Femiano traces the thought of Newman on this point by the current method of formative years, Anglican years, Catholic years, and special problems, in this case Newman's controversy in the Rambler on "consulting the faithful." For Newman the laity's role in the communication of the truth of the faith is one of bearer of tradition and of witness to the church's doctrine; witnessing, not judging or defining, is the laity's function. From his earliest years Newman had regard for the position of the laity in the Church. Here, as with the broader topics of his reflections, his thought had fundamentally crystallized by the...

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