Changes

On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX declared the teaching of The Immaculate Conception to be Roman Catholic dogma in his apostolic constitution, ''Ineffabilis Deus'' (Latin for "Ineffable God"). The letter itself contains a history of the belief, citing its roots as a belief of the early Church, as well as citing the approval of Roman Catholic Bishops worldwide, who had been asked to weigh in on the matter. ''Ineffabilis Deus'' is considered by most Roman Catholics as an infallible decree issued ex cathreda (from the Pope, using his office to declare a previously held belief official dogma), a very rare occurance within the Church.