A question about Papal infallibility.

[Dust and Ashes]

I don't really know how to phrase this so I'll do my best.

Does the doctrine of papal infallibility teach that the Pope is infallible period or that he is only infallible when he makes statements about the faith? I mean if a Pope dislikes mushrooms and makes a statement that they are disgusting, that is obviously not an infallible statement, but a matter of opinion. I guess what I'm asking is how does it work? Thanks.

 

[Rising_Suns]

Hi forgiven sinnner, peace be with you,

The pope is only infallible when he is speaking "Ex Cathedra" (from the chair of [St. Peter]), on matters of faith and morals.

May the Lord give you His peace!

-Davide

 

[Dust and Ashes]

Hi forgiven sinnner, peace be with you,

The pope is only infallible when he is speaking "Ex Cathedra" (from the chair of [St. Peter]), on matters of faith and morals.

May the Lord give you His peace!

-Davide

Thank you for the quick reply and the information.

 

[DrBubbaLove]

And given the age of the Church and all the prior debates, the Pope does not really have to do this very often any more. We are talking gaps of hundreds of years.

 

[Rising_Suns]

And given the age of the Church and all the prior debates, the Pope does not really have to do this very often any more. We are talking gaps of hundreds of years.

Right. And really, it can be generally said that the only "official" infallible Ex Cathedra statements were made once for the Immaculate Conception and once for the Assumption.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

Hi forgiven sinnner, peace be with you,

The pope is only infallible when he is speaking "Ex Cathedra" (from the chair of [St. Peter]), on matters of faith and morals.

May the Lord give you His peace!

-Davide

Yes, one of the BIGGEST misconceptions about the Pope and infalliblity is that this "infallibility" is 24/7 365 Always, that just isn't so.

 

[Paul S]

Right. And really, it can be generally said that the only "official" infallible Ex Cathedra statements were made once for the Immaculate Conception and once for the Assumption.

And most likely for the inability of women to be ordained.