--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As far as mere possibility is concerned…" description: "\"“As far as mere possibility is concerned, there can be no doubt that Jesus Christ, had He so willed, could have limited the power of confer ring His Sa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/joseph-pohle-3769_moral-character_as-far-as-mere-possibility-is-concerned_1855786.jpg" --- # As far as mere possibility is concerned, there can be no… ![“As far as mere possibility is concerned, there can be no doubt that Jesus Christ, had He so willed, could have limited the power of confer ring His Sacraments to members of the true Church, and made it dependent on the subjective disposition of the minister. However, in His wisdom our Lord…” quote by Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/joseph-pohle-3769_moral-character_as-far-as-mere-possibility-is-concerned_1855786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/joseph-pohle-3769_moral-character_as-far-as-mere-possibility-is-concerned_1855786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1f/joseph-pohle-3769_moral-character_as-far-as-mere-possibility-is-concerned_1855786.jpg) > ““As far as mere possibility is concerned, there can be no doubt that Jesus Christ, had He so willed, could have limited the power of confer ring His Sacraments to members of the true Church, and made it dependent on the subjective disposition of the minister. However, in His wisdom our Lord preferred to tolerate innumerable sacrileges rather than limit too narrowly the requisites of valid administration. By making the Sacraments independent of the personal merit or demerit of the minister, He safeguarded three im portant truths: (i) their objective efficacy, depending in no wise on the moral character of the minister; (2) His own priesthood, which cannot be tainted by His representatives; and (3) the certainty to which the faithful have a right in matters pertaining to eternal salvation.”” [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Jesus chose to keep sacraments effective regardless of a minister’s personal holiness, preserving objective grace, the priesthood’s purity, and believers’ assurance of salvation. **In simple terms:** Christ made sacraments work independent of the minister’s virtue. Key Takeaway Trust in the sacraments’ power despite human flaws. Themes faith grace authority assurance Mood reverent confident Type theological doctrinal When to use this quote - worship services - confession - baptism - marriage ceremonies - spiritual counseling Key Concepts objective efficacy priesthood purity theological certainty Questions to Reflect On - How does this independence affect your confidence in religious rites? - What responsibilities does this place on believers? A Different Perspective If ministers are corrupt, the faithful may doubt the sacraments’ validity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christ Willed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ-willed-1718238/) [Mere Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mere-possibility-2466134/) [Minister Priesthood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minister-priesthood-2466133/) [Minister Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minister-wisdom-2466132/) [Moral character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-character/) [Sacraments Independent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacraments-independent-2466131/) ## Related quotes > [The mere possibility provides no warrant for denying what I clearly grasp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/the-mere-possibility-provides-no-warrant-for-denying-what-i-clearly/) [William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/) > [Christ willed to suffer and be despised and do you dare complain of the same? 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He is a bird of bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/for-my-own-part-i-wish-the-bald-eagle-had-not-been-chosen-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [ “Not only is \[a mother\] entrusted with the guardianship of the intellect and character of the world's statesmen and philosophers, but her gentle presence,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-e-sargent/not-only-is-a-mother-entrusted-with-the-guardianship-of-the-intellect/) [C.E. Sargent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-e-sargent/) > [It is fairly easy to grasp abstract moral principles; it can be very difficult to apply them to a given situation, particularly when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/it-is-fairly-easy-to-grasp-abstract-moral-principles-it-can-be-very/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [The fact is that in my prep school, I went to a boarding school, 39 young men graduated from that prep school. Five years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/the-fact-is-that-in-my-prep-school-i-went-to-a-boarding-school-39/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [“First, the Bible says that an elder must be of irreproachable moral character and capable in the use of Scripture because he is “God’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-strauch/first-the-bible-says-that-an-elder-must-be-of-irreproachable-moral/) [Alexander Strauch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-strauch/) > [Depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/depth-and-strength-of-a-human-character-are-defined-by-its-moral/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Remember this, and remember this well: when someone is telling the TRUTH and exposing information that is meant to be hidden from the masses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/remember-this-and-remember-this-well-when-someone-is-telling-the/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/people-reveal-themselves-completely-only-when-they-are-thrown-out-of/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [“Daughter! Get you an honest Man for a Husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent. Regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/daughter-get-you-an-honest-man-for-a-husband-and-keep-him-honest-no/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) ## More by Joseph Pohle > [“We are compelled to concur in another view of Cardinal De Lugo, namely, that the value of the Mass is dependent on the greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/we-are-compelled-to-concur-in-another-view-of-cardinal-de-lugo-namely/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“the scientific development of the doctrine of indulgences. 29 St. Thomas knows but one plenary indulgence, i. e. that granted for the liberation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-scientific-development-of-the-doctrine-of-indulgences-29-st/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“The Church has always regarded the admin istration of a Sacrament in the state of mortal sin as a sacrilege, and insists on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-church-has-always-regarded-the-admin-istration-of-a-sacrament-in/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“Origen says: " The Church hath received it as a tradition from the Apostles that infants, too, ought to be baptized." 21”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/origen-says-the-church-hath-received-it-as-a-tradition-from-the/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“St. Bruno of Asti, who says: " The first tabernacle, therefore, is the Synagogue; the second, the Church; the third, Heaven. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/st-bruno-of-asti-who-says-the-first-tabernacle-therefore-is-the/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“ceases to be merciful, no matter what sins have been conv mitted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/ceases-to-be-merciful-no-matter-what-sins-have-been-conv-mitted/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“Does the external sign receive from God a peculiar super natural power enabling it physically to produce sanctify ing grace in the soul, either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/does-the-external-sign-receive-from-god-a-peculiar-super-natural/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“While it is possible for the con fessor in some cases to obtain such knowledge without confession, this is not the rule, because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/while-it-is-possible-for-the-con-fessor-in-some-cases-to-obtain-such/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“minister begins with an actual intention, but is distracted while administering the Sacrament, he has a virtual in tention. Thirdly, an habitual intention is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/minister-begins-with-an-actual-intention-but-is-distracted-while/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“The confectio of a Sacrament, i. e. the combina tion of matter and form into the sacramental sign, is not necessarily of itself a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-confectio-of-a-sacrament-i-e-the-combina-tion-of-matter-and-form/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“The Second Council of Mileve (416) anath ematized all "who deny that new-born infants should be baptized immediately after birth." n The Tridentine Council…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/the-second-council-of-mileve-416-anath-ematized-all-who-deny-that-new/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“bread and wine." These species must, therefore, be acci dents, and, having by Transubstantiation lost their con natural subjects, which cannot be supplied by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/bread-and-wine-these-species-must-therefore-be-acci-dents-and-having/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“heretics can validly administer all the other Sacraments, with the sole exception of Penance, 30 which cannot, barring cases of urgent necessity, be validly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/heretics-can-validly-administer-all-the-other-sacraments-with-the/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“Alterations in the formula of Baptism may or may not affect its substance. Substantial changes render the Sacrament invalid ; purely accidental changes do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/alterations-in-the-formula-of-baptism-may-or-may-not-affect-its/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) > [“i. e. a sacrifice offered " from the rising of the sun to the going down" and " in every place." Moreover, the Sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-pohle/i-e-a-sacrifice-offered-from-the-rising-of-the-sun-to-the-going-down/) [Joseph Pohle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) [Explore all 122 Joseph Pohle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-pohle/) ## More Moral character quotes > [“Daughter! Get you an honest Man for a Husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent. Regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/daughter-get-you-an-honest-man-for-a-husband-and-keep-him-honest-no/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/people-reveal-themselves-completely-only-when-they-are-thrown-out-of/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Remember this, and remember this well: when someone is telling the TRUTH and exposing information that is meant to be hidden from the masses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/remember-this-and-remember-this-well-when-someone-is-telling-the/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [Depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/depth-and-strength-of-a-human-character-are-defined-by-its-moral/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [“First, the Bible says that an elder must be of irreproachable moral character and capable in the use of Scripture because he is “God’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-strauch/first-the-bible-says-that-an-elder-must-be-of-irreproachable-moral/) [Alexander Strauch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-strauch/) > [The fact is that in my prep school, I went to a boarding school, 39 young men graduated from that prep school. Five years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/the-fact-is-that-in-my-prep-school-i-went-to-a-boarding-school-39/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [It is fairly easy to grasp abstract moral principles; it can be very difficult to apply them to a given situation, particularly when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/it-is-fairly-easy-to-grasp-abstract-moral-principles-it-can-be-very/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [ “Not only is \[a mother\] entrusted with the guardianship of the intellect and character of the world's statesmen and philosophers, but her gentle presence,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-e-sargent/not-only-is-a-mother-entrusted-with-the-guardianship-of-the-intellect/) [C.E. Sargent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-e-sargent/) > [For my own part, I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen the representative of our country. 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What did Trump tweet today?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pfeiffer/we-re-so-obsessed-with-is-michael-cohen-going-to-jail-or-not-is-rod/) [Daniel Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pfeiffer/) > [ “\[A Letter to the Culture that Raised Me\] I'm not here to be on display. And my body is not for public consumption. I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/a-letter-to-the-culture-that-raised-me-i-m-not-here-to-be-on-display/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [I'm not here to be on display. And my body is not for public consumption. 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