how is the pope infallible?

Answer 1

He isn't. Nowhere in the scriptures does it say that there is to be an infallible pope to rule over the church. This idea was a political concept much like rulers who ruled by "divine right". Many of the ancient kings and queens would trace their ancestry back to some Biblical figure just to prove that they had a divine right to rule their nation. The catholic church latched onto the verse about Peter having a strong faith, and used it to give their chosen "man" the divine right to rule the church.

Answer 2

The Pope is infallible ONLY when defining a doctrinal issue binding on the universal Church. He is not infallible when making any other kind of pronouncement. Jesus bestowed this essential charism on the first Pope, the Apostle Simon, immediately after telling him that he was the rock on whom Christ would build His Church. Jesus then gave "Simon Peter" ( "Simon the Rock") the keys to the Kingdom of God, telling him "whatsoever YOU bind upon Earth is bound in Heaven". Since nothing untrue can be "bound in heaven", this promise of Christ indicates that all officially binding teaching that comes from the one who holds the keys to the Kingdom has a divine guarantee of true.

It is this fact more than any other that accounts for the Holy Catholic Church's 2,000 years of constant unchanging doctrinal truth, so unlike the shifting sands of Protestantism, where denominations continually fragment into more and more denominations, teaching more and more contrary doctrinal beliefs. Jesus said that His Church was to be ONE, just as He and His heavenly Father are ONE. The charism of doctrinal infallibility makes this unity possible. Jesus knew that you cannot have truth without unity, and that you cannot have unity without genuine authority.

Infallibility does not mean freedom from sin. The Pope is a sinner like the rest of us. But he is the sinner Christ Himself has appointed as chief shepherd of His Church.

Answer 3

Jesus has given authority to the Church (see Matthew 18:15-18) which now interprets the Word of God as did the Apostles. The Pope is simply infallible only in matters of doctrine and Church teaching.

Answer 4

As successor of Peter, who was given the authority to bind or loose in heaven, the Pope is infallible when authoritatively teach in matters of faith and morals. He is not infallible as a human; he does sin. But, he has primacy as the vicar of Christ to speak with the Authority of the Holy Spirit.

This is why Church has stood from the beginning; it has had the Authority of the Spirit.

God Bless,

MoP

Answer 5

Papal infallibility does not mean the pope is never wrong.

It comes from Matthew 16:19. Jesus gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom of God. And tells him, what you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. What you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Or as the Pagans and Wiccans say: As above, so below.

Answer 6

The Pope is fallible, he is but a man and as man he is fallible.

For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. There has only been one man to ever walk the face of the earth and lead a sin free life and he was murdered because of it.

That was not, is not and has never been a Pope. The Pope is just the leader of a church, nothing else. He leads a religion and is exalted by man to a high place. How ever if one looks at the example of Christ the Pope is far from that example. Christ was meek, he owned nothing but the clothes on his back. He had to rely on others for a place to sleep. The Pope is surround by riches. Where is the example?

If he was faith full to the example he would not be exalted but would humble himself before all men.

By the actions of men they will either affirm their faith or they will condemn it. By their actions the world will know. A Faith full believer doesn't draw attention to themselves but will live by the faith they claim. Words mean nothing if they are not backed up by action and deed.

Judge for yourself the actions and look at the fruit of the actions instead of listening to hollow words. That is where the real proof of faith is found.

Answer 7

The very same way the old testament prophets and sacred writers were infallible, and the new testament sacred writers were infallible ... through the power of the Holy Spirit.

When God promises to bind in heaven anything you bind on earth, what do you think that means?

Answer 8

the pope isnt infallible he is human just like you and me. the pope sins and he isnt perfect. he is just a great and religious man and is very wise. The only infallible being is god.

Answer 9

He is not, there is ONLY ONE way to God and that IS NOT through any man or pope, its through Jesus Christ, with ALL due respect to everyones choice of faiths it is A LIE to suppose a man can forgive sins in place of Jesus Christ, its also the pope, that is the papcy that changed the Seventh Day Sabbath which is from Sundown Friday until Sundown Saturday to sunday the first day of the week for which there is NO authority, pray about this, hay free bible lessons www.itiswritten.com God bless

Answer 10

It is historically that the pope is infalible in matters of faith.... but since he is merely a man at it's basic level.... faith is the only place he is free from making a mistake...