'I would not believe in the Gospel, if first I did not believe in the Church.'

On John Duns Scotus:

"Along with Holy Scripture, divinely inspired, stands the authority of the Church. He follows the words of Saint Augustine: 'I would not believe in the Gospel, if first I did not believe in the Church.' In fact, our Doctor places in an elevated position, the supreme authority of the Successor of Peter. According to his words, 'although the Pope cannot establish against natural and divine law (because his power is inferior to both), nevertheless, being the Successor of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, he has the same authority that Peter had.'

"Therefore, the Catholic Church, which has as its invisible Head Christ himself, who left his Vicars in the person of blessed Peter and of his Successors, guided by the Spirit of truth, is the authentic guardian of the revealed Deposit and of the rule of faith. The Church is the firm and stable criterion of the canonicity of Holy Scripture. She, in fact, 'established what books should be considered authentic in the canon of the Bible'."

Benedict XVI

Apostolic Letter "Laetare Colonia urbs"

on the occasion of the International Scientific Congress

for the VII Centennial of the death of Blessed John Duns Scotus

Thanks to Rorate Caeli, where one may read more on this letter under the date of 20 December 2008.