Papal Infallibility

Papal Infallibility
RELATED TOPICS	Pope, First Vatican Council, Ex Cathedra
SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS	* Impact of Vatican I (G.G.)
CONTENTS

In Roman Catholic theology, papal infallibility is the doctrine that the Pope is unable to teach error when he solemnly declares a dogmatic teaching on faith or morals, by action of the Holy Spirit. This doctrine was defined in the First Vatican Council in 1870 AD. This teaching is not acceptable by any other Christian denomination.

In Catholic theology, papal infallibility is one of the channels of the infallibility of the Church. The infallible teachings of the pope must be based on, or at least not contradict, Sacred Tradition or Sacred Scripture. Papal infallibility does not signify that the pope is impeccable, i.e., that he is specially exempt from liability to sin.

Since the 1870 solemn declaration of Papal Infallibility by Vatican I, this power has been used only once: in 1950 when Pius XII defined the Assumption of Mary as being an article of faith for Roman Catholics.

Statements by a pope that exercise papal infallibility are referred to as solemn papal definitions or ex cathedra teachings. The doctrine is distinct from the doctrine of infallible teachings because of a solemn definition by an ecumenical council, or with teachings that are infallible in virtue of being taught by the ordinary and universal magisterium.

According to the teaching of the First Vatican Council and Catholic tradition, the conditions required for ex cathedra teaching are as follows:

• The Roman Pontiff
• Speaks ex cathedra ("that is, when in the discharge of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, and by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority...")
• He defines
• That a doctrine concerning faith or morals
• Must be held by the whole Church

For a teaching by a pope or ecumenical council to be recognized as infallible, the teaching must make it clear that the Church is to consider it definitive and binding. There is not any specific phrasing required for this, but it is usually indicated by one or both of the following: (1) a verbal formula indicating that this teaching is definitive; (2) an accompanying anathema stating that anyone who deliberately dissents is outside the Catholic Church. For example, in 1950, with 'Munificentissimus Deus, Pope Pius XII's infallible definition regarding the Assumption of Mary, there are attached these words: "Hence if anyone, which God forbid, should dare willfully to deny or to call into doubt that which We have defined, let him know that he has fallen away completely from the divine and Catholic Faith."

An infallible teaching by a pope or ecumenical council can contradict previous Church teachings, as long as they were not themselves taught infallibly. In this case, the previous fallible teachings are immediately made void. Of course, an infallible teaching cannot contradict a previous infallible teaching, including the infallible teachings of the Holy Bible or Holy Tradition. Also, due to the sensus fidelium, an infallible teaching cannot be subsequently contradicted by the Catholic Church.

In Catholic teaching, diocesan bishops do not in themselves possess the charism of infallibility (but do so when gathered in ecumenical council).

Links

• Wikipedia - Papal infallibility

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