Joshua Bennett
Catholics have differing opinions on whether they are required to obey the Pope. Some believe that the Pope is the “supreme shepherd and teacher of all the faithful” and that his teachings are infallible, while others argue that the Pope is not morally perfect and that his teachings are not always followed or accepted by all Catholics. The concept of Papal Infallibility, which states that the Pope is protected from error when teaching on matters of faith or morals, is a complex doctrine that has evolved over time and is not universally accepted, even among Catholics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Papal Infallibility | Catholics are divided on whether to accept and obey all pronouncements from the Pope. Some believe that the Pope is protected from error when he “proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals”. Others believe that it is acceptable to ignore statements from the Pope that they don't agree with. |
| Pope's Authority | The Pope is considered to be the "head of the college of bishops" and the "supreme shepherd and teacher of all the faithful". Some Catholics view the Pope as a father figure who deserves respect and obedience. |
| Pope's Morality | The Pope is not considered to be morally perfect or incapable of making errors. There have been instances of Popes being unpopular or making decisions that are considered terrible. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics are divided on whether to obey the Pope
Those who obey the Pope's teachings cite the Church's doctrine of "Papal Infallibility". According to this doctrine, the Pope, as the "head of the college of bishops", is protected by the Holy Spirit from teaching errors on matters of faith and morals. This doctrine, however, does not imply that the Pope is incapable of making errors or that he is morally perfect. It is also not a new doctrine but has been implicit in the early Church and developed over time.
On the other hand, some Catholics reject the Pope's authority and claim that a person's individual feelings about an issue are what matter. They believe it is acceptable to ignore statements from the Pope that they disagree with, especially on controversial topics such as abortion, marriage, and euthanasia.
The interpretation of the Pope's teaching authority and the degree to which Catholics must obey him vary among individuals. Some Catholics may choose to obey the Pope out of respect for the office, even if they disagree with his personal actions or beliefs. Others may reject the Pope's teachings entirely, while still identifying as Catholic.
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Papal Infallibility means the Pope cannot err on faith and morals
Catholics are expected to view the Pope as an authority figure, and while the Pope is not considered divine, Catholics are expected to obey him. Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church, which means that the Pope, acting as the supreme teacher, cannot err when teaching matters of faith or morals. This doctrine was proclaimed by Pius IX in 1870 and is based on the belief that the church has been entrusted with the teaching mission of Jesus Christ.
The doctrine of Papal infallibility, also known by the Latin phrase "ex cathedra" or "from the chair", means that when the Pope, in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals, he is preserved from the possibility of error. This is because, in virtue of the promise of Jesus to Peter, the Pope is considered to be the spokesman for the whole church. The doctrine of infallibility is related to the concept of indefectibility, which holds that the grace promised to the church assures its perseverance until the end of time.
Papal infallibility applies only to solemn, official teachings on faith and morals, not to disciplinary decisions or unofficial comments. A pope’s private theological opinions are not infallible, and only what he solemnly defines is considered to be infallible teaching. This means that while the Pope is prevented from issuing heretical teachings, he can still sin or err in other ways. The doctrine of infallibility does not give the Pope special grace or inspiration to teach what is true, but rather prevents him from solemnly and formally teaching error as truth.
The understanding of Papal infallibility has been a matter of debate, with critics of the Church citing "errors of the popes" and medieval theologians discussing the infallibility of the Pope in defining matters of faith and morals. The doctrine was defined dogmatically at the First Vatican Council of 1869-1870, and while it remains a major obstacle to ecumenical endeavours, it is an important aspect of Catholic belief, demonstrating the Pope's role as the successor of Peter and the spokesman for the whole church.
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Popes are not morally perfect and can make mistakes
While the Pope is the highest authority in the Catholic Church, and Catholics are expected to respect and obey him, it is important to remember that popes are not morally perfect and can make mistakes.
The concept of Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church, which means that the Pope, as the successor of Peter, is prevented from making mistakes or issuing heretical teachings when it comes to matters of faith and morals. This doctrine was formally defined at the First Vatican Council of 1869-1870 and is based on the belief that the Pope is guided by the Holy Spirit. However, it is important to note that Papal infallibility is not without limitations.
The Pope is only considered infallible when he clearly and willingly proclaims something related to faith and morals, and even then, such proclamations are extremely rare. It does not mean that the Pope is incapable of making mistakes or acting immorally in his personal life or private opinions. Throughout history, there have been instances where popes have made mistakes and acted immorally, and their fallibility has been recognised.
For example, Pope John XXII's views on when the dead can reach the beatific vision were rejected by the Church. Additionally, Pope John Paul II's handling of abusive priests within the Church has been criticised, and while some may give him the benefit of the doubt, it is acknowledged that his decisions had terrible consequences.
While Catholics are expected to respect the Pope's authority, it is not because the Pope is seen as a divine figure. Rather, it is because of the office he occupies as the successor of Saint Peter, who was established as the chief bishop by Jesus, as mentioned in the Bible (Matthew 16 and Isaiah 22). Catholics are not expected to agree with or follow every personal action or opinion of the Pope. Instead, they are to respect the Pope as a spiritual leader and father figure, obeying him as long as his commands do not go against God's commandments.
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Catholics can ignore Pope's teachings on topics like abortion, marriage
Catholics cannot reject the Pope, as he holds the authority of the highest office in the Church. However, the Pope's teachings can be ignored in certain circumstances, particularly when the command is against God's command. For example, while the Pope's teachings on abortion and same-sex marriage are clear, many Catholics disagree with these teachings and choose to ignore them.
The Catholic Church's official teachings, promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1992, oppose all forms of abortion procedures that directly destroy a zygote, blastocyst, embryo, or fetus. The Church holds that human life must be respected and protected from the moment of conception and that abortion is a mortal sin against the Sixth Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill". Pope Francis has also been unequivocally clear about abortion, stating that abortion is a sin and a crime. He has referred to abortion as the “direct murder of the innocent" and the "elimination of human beings".
However, a 2011 report from the Public Religion Research Institute found that 68% of American Catholics believe that one can still be a "good Catholic" while disagreeing with the Church's position on abortion. This view is not supported by Pope John Paul II, who commented that it is a "grave error" to claim that "dissent from the Magisterium is totally compatible with being a 'good Catholic'". Nevertheless, many Catholics continue to hold this view and choose to ignore the Pope's teachings on abortion.
Similarly, while the Catholic Church has traditionally held that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman, Pope Francis has approved blessings for same-sex couples. In December 2023, the Vatican released a document titled "Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings," marking a radical change in Vatican policy. The document states that people seeking God's love and mercy should not be subject to "an exhaustive moral analysis" to receive it. As a result, priests are now allowed to bless same-sex couples in informal settings, as long as the blessing does not appear to endorse a marriage.
While this change in policy is a significant step towards the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics, it is important to note that the Vatican has stressed that the declaration remains firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage. Priests are instructed to refuse any blessing that resembles a marriage ceremony or includes any "clothing, gestures, or words" associated with weddings. Therefore, while the Pope has shown a more liberal attitude towards same-sex couples, the Church's teaching on marriage has not changed, and Catholics who disagree with this teaching may choose to ignore it.
In conclusion, while Catholics cannot reject the Pope's authority, they may choose to ignore his teachings on certain topics, such as abortion and marriage, particularly when they conflict with their personal beliefs or values.
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The Pope is the 'head of the college of bishops'
The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, is the head of the College of Bishops, also known as the Ordo of Bishops. The College of Bishops is a term used in the Catholic Church to refer to a group of bishops who are in communion with the Pope. The college, as a whole, holds full supreme power over the entire Catholic Church.
The Pope, as the head of the College of Bishops, has the authority to select and promote the ways in which the bishops act collegially, such as in an ecumenical council. He can convoke, preside over, transfer, suspend, or dissolve such a council and approve its decrees. The bishops, recognising the primacy and pre-eminence of their head, exercise their own authority for the good of their faithful and the whole Church.
The College of Bishops is considered the successor to the college of apostles, and its members are bishops by virtue of sacramental consecration and hierarchical communion with the head. The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, is a member of the College of Bishops and is considered the successor of Saint Peter, who was established as the chief bishop by Jesus, as depicted in the Bible.
While the Pope has authority as the head of the College of Bishops, it is important to note that the Catholic Church's hierarchy also includes priests and deacons who serve as assistants to the bishops. The term "hierarchy" in the ecclesiological sense refers to the "holy ordering" of the church, respecting the diverse gifts and ministries necessary for genuine unity.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are not required to follow the Pope blindly and can ignore or reject his teachings. However, they must stay in communion with him and respect and obey him as they would a father. The Pope is believed to be infallible when speaking ex cathedra on matters of faith and morals, and his teachings on these topics cannot be rejected.
Papal Infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church, which states that the Pope is protected from error when speaking ex cathedra on doctrines "initially given to the apostolic Church and handed down in Scripture and tradition". This means that the Pope cannot make erroneous claims about faith or morals. However, it does not mean that the Pope is morally perfect, incapable of sin, or immune to errors in other areas.
While Catholics are not required to agree with or accept everything the Pope says, they cannot reject his authority as a Christian. The Pope is believed to represent Christ on earth and speak for Christ in certain situations, such as when he celebrates the seven Sacraments. Rejecting the Pope would be akin to rejecting Christ.
