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Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church, which states that the Pope, when speaking ex cathedra, cannot err when teaching matters of faith and morals. While this concept is based on the belief that the church has been entrusted with the teaching mission of Jesus Christ, it has been controversial and widely misunderstood, with critics citing errors of the popes and some Catholics refusing to accept it. The doctrine of papal infallibility is not universally agreed upon by all Catholics, with some rejecting it due to their view of the Church and others debating its interpretation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church which states that, in virtue of the promise of Jesus to Peter, the Pope when he speaks ex cathedra is preserved from the possibility of error on doctrine 'initially given to the apostolic Church and handed down in Scripture and tradition'" |
| What it does not mean | "It does not mean that the pope cannot sin or otherwise err in some capacity" |
| What it does mean | "What infallibility does do is prevent a pope from solemnly and formally teaching as 'truth' something that is, in fact, error" |
| What it is not | "Infallibility is not the absence of sin" |
| Who it applies to | Infallibility also belongs to the body of bishops as a whole, when, in doctrinal unity with the pope, they solemnly teach a doctrine as true |
| Who it does not apply to | Individual bishops do not enjoy the prerogative of infallibility |
| What it is limited to | Divinely revealed dogmas concerning faith and morals; it was not to make known new doctrines |
| When it applies | Such definitions must represent an ex cathedra exercise of the papal office, that is, 'from the chair' in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority. Finally, it must be in regard to something to be held by the universal church |
| When it does not apply | When the pope is not speaking ex cathedra |
| Who accepts it | Catholics point to Christ’s promise to remain always with his church and to send the Spirit to 'teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you' |
| Who rejects it | "Bible Christians", Fundamentalists, Evangelicals, some Catholics, Protestants, historians, theologians, lay Catholics, many theologians, several episcopal conferences, anti-Conciliarists, some Catholics after the Council |
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What You'll Learn
Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church
The concept of papal infallibility does not imply that the pope is incapable of sin or error in other areas. Rather, it suggests that the pope is prevented from teaching heresy by the Holy Spirit. This doctrine has been a source of controversy, both within and outside the Catholic Church, with critics arguing that there have been instances of popes teaching heretical doctrines. Some Catholics, particularly "Bible Christians", reject the idea of papal infallibility, believing that Christ did not establish a visible Church with a hierarchy of bishops led by the pope.
Despite the controversy, the majority of Catholics accepted the definition of papal infallibility set forth by the First Vatican Council. The dogmatic constitution Lumen gentium of the Second Vatican Council also reaffirmed the definition to eliminate any doubts. However, it is important to note that papal infallibility does not grant the pope the ability to make new doctrines; instead, it ensures that he accurately conveys the doctrines of the faith.
While some Catholics, such as Hans Küng and Garry Wills, have refused to accept papal infallibility, they have faced sanctions from the Church, such as exclusion from teaching Catholic theology. The debate around papal infallibility highlights the complexities within the Catholic Church and the ongoing interpretations of its doctrines.
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The Pope is prevented from teaching error as truth
Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church that states that the Pope, when speaking ex cathedra, is preserved from the possibility of error on doctrine initially given to the apostolic Church and handed down in Scripture and tradition. This doctrine was defined dogmatically at the First Vatican Council of 1869-1870 in the document Pastor aeternus.
The doctrine of infallibility relies on the cornerstone of Catholic dogma: papal supremacy. This means that the authority of the Pope is the ruling agent as to what are accepted as formal beliefs in the Catholic Church. The Pope, as the "head of the college of bishops", enjoys papal infallibility. This charism is the supreme degree of participating in Christ's divine authority, safeguarding the faithful from defection and guaranteeing the profession of faith.
Infallibility does not mean that the Pope cannot sin or otherwise err in some capacity. It also does not mean that the Pope has some special grace that allows him to teach positively whatever truths need to be known. Rather, infallibility prevents the Pope from solemnly and formally teaching as "truth" something that is, in fact, an error. It does not help him know what is true, nor does it "inspire" him to teach what is true.
The doctrine of infallibility is not something that suddenly appeared in Church teaching; rather, it is a doctrine that was implicit in the early Church. It is only our understanding of infallibility that has developed and been more clearly understood over time. In fact, the doctrine of infallibility is implicit in several Petrine texts, such as John 21:15–17 ("Feed my sheep..."), Luke 22:32 ("I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail"), and Matthew 16:18 ("You are Peter..."). Christ instructed the Church to preach everything he taught (Matt. 28:19–20) and promised the protection of the Holy Spirit to "guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13).
Fundamentalists must also acknowledge that Peter, whom they believe to be the predecessor of the Pope, did have some kind of infallibility. They cannot deny that he wrote two infallible epistles of the New Testament while under protection against writing error.
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The Pope can sin and err in some capacity
The concept of papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church, stating that the Pope, when speaking ex cathedra, is protected from the possibility of error on doctrine. This doctrine was defined at the First Vatican Council of 1869-1870 and is based on the promise of Jesus to Peter. However, it is important to note that papal infallibility does not imply the absence of sin or error in the Pope.
While the Pope is prevented from formally teaching heresy or error as truth, he can still sin and make mistakes in other capacities. The distinction lies between official teachings on faith and morals, which are considered infallible, and other areas such as disciplinary decisions or unofficial comments, where the Pope can err. This understanding of papal infallibility is often misunderstood, even by some Catholics, who may believe that the Pope is incapable of sin or error in any capacity.
Critics of the Catholic Church often cite historical "errors of the popes" as evidence against papal infallibility. The cases of Popes Liberius, Vigilius, and Honorius are commonly referenced as examples of papal fallibility. However, supporters of the doctrine argue that these cases do not meet the requirements of papal infallibility as outlined by the First Vatican Council.
Some Catholics, such as Hans Kung and historian Garry Wills, have rejected the concept of papal infallibility altogether, even facing sanctions from the Church for their dissent. The idea of an infallible Pope has also been disputed by theologians and scholars who argue that it lacks universal support within the Church and is not supported by Scripture or historical grounds.
In conclusion, while the Pope is considered infallible when speaking ex cathedra on matters of faith and morals, he is still capable of sin and error in other aspects of his role. The doctrine of papal infallibility, as understood by the Catholic Church, does not imply the Pope's impeccability but rather his inability to teach error on official matters of doctrine.
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The Pope's fallibility is demonstrated in the Bible
The concept of papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church, stating that the Pope, as the successor of St. Peter, is preserved from the possibility of error when speaking ex cathedra (from the chair) on matters of doctrine. This doctrine was formally defined by the First Vatican Council in 1870 and is based on the belief in papal supremacy, where the Pope's authority determines the accepted formal beliefs of the Catholic Church. However, not all Catholics agree with papal infallibility, and critics have cited historical "errors of the popes" that contradict this doctrine.
The rejection of papal infallibility by some Christians, often referred to as "Bible Christians", stems from their interpretation of the Church. They argue that Christ did not establish a visible Church with a hierarchical structure led by the Pope. Instead, they emphasize the role of the apostles in setting up an organization following Christ's instructions. This view aligns with the belief that Christ established an ongoing organization, as evidenced by early Christian writers and the recognition of a visible Church until the Reformation.
The fallibility of Popes is demonstrated in the Bible through specific examples, such as the conduct of Peter, one of the apostles, at Antioch. In this instance, Peter refused to eat with Gentile Christians to avoid offending Jews from Palestine (Gal. 2:11–16). Paul rebuked Peter for this action, which was related to matters of discipline rather than issues of faith or morals. This example highlights a case where a Pope's actions were fallible and subject to correction.
Another example of papal fallibility in the Bible can be found in the teachings of Pope Honorius. Critics argue that Pope Honorius taught Monothelitism, the belief that Christ had only one will (a divine one) instead of two wills (divine and human), which is considered a heresy by orthodox Christians. However, a closer examination of the records reveals that Pope Honorius chose not to make a definitive decision on this matter, demonstrating that his actions were not related to issues of doctrine where infallibility is applicable.
While the doctrine of papal infallibility asserts that the Pope cannot formally teach error as truth in matters of doctrine, it does not imply that the Pope is incapable of sin or error in other aspects. The distinction between infallibility and impeccability is often misunderstood, leading to misconceptions about the true nature of papal infallibility.
In conclusion, while the Catholic Church upholds the doctrine of papal infallibility, it is important to recognize that the Pope's fallibility is indeed demonstrated in the Bible and Church history. These instances highlight the limitations of papal infallibility and provide context to the understanding of the Pope's role and authority within the Catholic Church.
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Some Catholics refuse to accept papal infallibility
Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church, stating that the Pope, when speaking ex cathedra, is preserved from the possibility of error on doctrine. However, not all Catholics agree with this doctrine. Some Catholics refuse to accept papal infallibility, including Hans Küng, author of 'Infallible? An Inquiry', and historian Garry Wills, author of 'Papal Sin'. Küng was sanctioned by the Church and excluded from teaching Catholic theology. Brian Tierney agreed with Küng's stance, arguing that there is no evidence that papal infallibility was part of the Church's theological or canonical tradition before the 13th century.
The rejection of papal infallibility by some Catholics stems from their view of the Church. "Bible Christians", for example, do not believe that Christ established a visible Church, and therefore do not accept the hierarchy of bishops headed by the Pope. They argue that the New Testament shows the apostles setting up an organisation that was recognised by early Christians, but this does not imply infallibility.
Critics of the Church also cite certain "errors of the popes" as evidence against papal infallibility. They point to cases such as those of Popes Liberius, Vigilius, and Honorius, which they claim demonstrate that the Pope can err. However, defenders of the doctrine argue that these cases do not meet the requirements outlined by the description of papal infallibility given at Vatican I.
The concept of papal infallibility is often misunderstood, both inside and outside the Church. Some Catholics argue that an infallible pope renders future church councils unnecessary, while Protestants find the teaching unbiblical and contrary to early church teachings. Theologians disagree about how to interpret declarations of the papal magisterium, and there is debate over whether certain pronouncements, such as Pope Paul VI's encyclical on artificial contraception, are covered by papal infallibility.
The history of the Catholic Church also reveals differing views on the role of the pope. During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Conciliar Movement advocated for the Church to be ruled by its councils rather than a sovereign pope, believing that a corporation of Christians could not err. In contrast, anti-Conciliarists promoted papal infallibility to increase the pope's power on issues of faith and morals.
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Frequently asked questions
Papal infallibility is the doctrine that the pope, acting as supreme teacher and under certain conditions, cannot err when teaching matters of faith or morals.
No, there is a wide debate among scholars and Catholics themselves about papal infallibility. Some Catholics, like Hans Küng and historian Garry Wills, have refused to accept papal infallibility as a matter of faith.
The arguments for papal infallibility are based on Scripture, History, and Logic. Scripture, such as Matthew 16:18-19, describes the powers of binding and loosing that Jesus gave to St. Peter, who later became Rome's first bishop. History shows that the bishops of Rome acted with special authority in succession from St. Peter. Logic dictates that the first Christians under the New Covenant had an infallible guide to the truth in Christ himself, and this guide is believed to be the pope.
Critics of papal infallibility cite certain "errors of the popes", including those of Popes Liberius, Vigilius, and Honorius. They argue that these cases demonstrate that the pope can err and that the doctrine of papal infallibility was invented to increase the pope's sovereign power.
