By the sin of Adam all men lost their natural ability for good and their innocence.8 No one can rise from the depths of this fall of his own free will unless he be raised by the grace of God’s mercy. Thus, Pope Innocent of happy memory stated and wrote in his letter9 to the Council of Carthage:10 “When Adam was tested in his free will,11 he used this gift inconsiderately and fell down into the abyss of sin. He could find no way of raising himself out of it. Forever deceived by his own