Once Infallible always Infallible????

[Guest shiloh357]

"Infallible" Popes have been correcting the doctrines of other "infallible" Popes since the beginning of the so-called "office."

Yes, that's true. Pope Pious XII really gave the RCC a headache given his support for Hitler and his opposition of a national homeland for the Jews in their biblical homeland.

[InHisTime77]

Grace to you,

I have a sincere question.

Let me preface it;

It is said, in the Romish Church and Doctrine, that once a Roman Catholic Pope is confirmed a Pope that he becomes Infallible.

There's a alot of headlines concerning Pope Benedict retiring which hasn't happened in ages. With it comes alot of questions and concerns. Two Popes in St. Peter's, What does a retired Pope do, etc. etc. etc.?

My question is this concerning the Romish Doctrine of Infallibilty.

It's stated in a headline I just read that the Pope is no longer infallible because he now defers to the new infallible Pope.

How can one lose Infallibility once it's inferred? Is it an office thing?

Peace,

Dave

I am not a Catholic, and I do not believe the pope to be infallible. But I do believe that I can explain the Catholic doctrine on this issue.

The pope is considered to be infallible only when he teaches ex cathedra. (meaning "from the chair"). There are a number of conditions that must be fulfilled in order for this to be the case (the teaching must be public; the teaching must apply to doctrine; the pope must intend for the teaching to carry apolistic authority; the pope must intend to bind the whole church by his teaching). Because of all the conditions, "infallible" teaching is very rare. And because of the conditions, infallible teaching can only be done by a current pope.

So to be clear, infallibility does not mean that a pope is without sin. It also doesn't mean that a pope can't contradict another pope or make a mistake. Pope's are free to sin or err all they want without violating the doctrine of papal infallibility. The only thing that can't be done is to make a mistake while teaching ex cathedra. This is because when the pope speaks ex cathedra, he is thought to speak with the authority of the Catholic Church itself, which (from a Catholic perspective) is the authority of Christ himself. This is what supposedly makes the teaching infallible. So without the ability to teach with that authority, there is no chance to teach infallibly.

Short version: According to Catholic dogma, Benedict can no longer teach ex cahtedra, meaning he can no longer issue infallible statements.

[JohnD]

Infallibility rests entirely with the Lord God.

[InHisTime77]

Pope Pious XII really gave the RCC a headache given his support for Hitler and his opposition of a national homeland for the Jews in their biblical homeland.

As horrid as this is, I don't think it is actually in contradiction to the Catholic dogma of papal infallibility considering this support wasn't a matter of doctrine.

[Tinky]

Pope Pious XII really gave the RCC a headache given his support for Hitler and his opposition of a national homeland for the Jews in their biblical homeland.

As horrid as this is, I don't think it is actually in contradiction to the Catholic dogma of papal infallibility considering this support wasn't a matter of doctrine.

Do a web search. There is plenty of documentation of Popes correcting/denouncing so called "infallible" pronouncements by other Popes.

[Leonard]

Pope Pious XII really gave the RCC a headache given his support for Hitler and his opposition of a national homeland for the Jews in their biblical homeland.

As horrid as this is, I don't think it is actually in contradiction to the Catholic dogma of papal infallibility considering this support wasn't a matter of doctrine.

Do a web search. There is plenty of documentation of Popes correcting/denouncing so called "infallible" pronouncements by other Popes.

Sorry, but that's simply not true. Popes have only spoken ex cathedra a very, very few times. If memory serves it is only 4.... To have 'plenty of documentation' would indicate that these ex cathedra proclaimations were done with startling regularity.

[Littlelambseativy]

I have been intrigued with the current situation for some time now particularly after the Vatican scandal broke and have come to understand that the Pope is nothing more than a figure head. Others make the decisions and I suppose he abides by them. So the fallibility/infallibility of his pronouncements or decisions or just his choice as to what to do from the time he gets up is no more than yours or mine. However to the Catholic, he is holy (so are we) he speaks words from God (so do we - the Bible) yet he sins( as do we )and since Mary said she needed a Saviour (so does he and so do we) unless he asks Jesus to forgive his sin he is hell bound (as are we). In essence he is no different than we are!! A sinner who must be saved by the grace of the living God.

[InHisTime77]

Sorry, but that's simply not true. Popes have only spoken ex cathedra a very, very few times. If memory serves it is only 4.... To have 'plenty of documentation' would indicate that these ex cathedra proclaimations were done with startling regularity.

Precisely! Catholic dogma simply does not claim that popes are infallible in everything they do or say. This is a myth.

[InHisTime77]

Do a web search. There is plenty of documentation of Popes correcting/denouncing so called "infallible" pronouncements by other Popes.

I searched, but found nothing credible. Could you perhaps provide me with an illustration?

[Leonard]

Oh, and to further define the limits of the doctrne of infallibility, the Pope is regarded as infallible ONLY on matters of faith and morals. And again, ONLY when he specifically declares he is speaking ex cathedra.....

PS: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN PAPAL INFALLIBILITY!

Pope John Paul II urged the Bishops to "move" infallibility to "where it has always resided" in the Bishops meeting in ecumenical council. And he said they ought to include the non Roman Bishops, as long as they have legitimate Apostolic Succession.