or what if he said no cigarettes on Saturdays or no cheesecake or no adultery (heh heh)
2007-03-08 13:40:02 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is infallible at closely defined times.
The Pope is only infallible when he, in union with the body of bishops, solemnly teaches that a doctrine as true.
This comes from the words of Jesus to Peter (the first Pope) and the Apostles (the first bishops), "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matthew 18:18) and "He who hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16).
At all other times the Pope can be just as wrong or sinful as you and me and be in need of forgiveness.
With love in Christ.
2007-03-09 16:13:34 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Wow - this is a point so often misunderstood.
The pope is not always, every minute of every day infallible. In fact, it is something used very, very rarely and only when making papal law.
And on top of this, the law developed must coincide with the faith, not go against it. So attacking America would be out - since it would not be bibical. Adultry is already a sin by the way.
This doesn't mean that the pope can't make mistakes, or even declare something using his claim of infallibility when it is really driven by personal motives. In these cases, the followers mus first follow God/Jesus, the bible and then the pope.
2007-03-08 21:46:02 · answer #2 · answered by noncrazed 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, as usual, Fr. K beats me to the punch and makes it spendid and short!
The Pope is indeed infallible only when speaking on Faith and Morals from the See; in 'ex catherdra'. The last one was made in 1954, the time before THAT was 1858. So it's not often that there is such a proclamation.
There is something called common sense. We are not bound to obey the Pope if he asks us to do something contrary to right reason; such as blowing up US or no cigs on Saturday or cheesecake...
2007-03-09 10:53:47 · answer #3 · answered by Michelle_My_Belle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pope is ONLY infallible when--after much prayer and research--he makes a proclamation to the ENTIRE church speaking from the chair of St. Peter and ONLY regarding subjects of faith or morals. This would eliminate all topics such as cigarettes, cheesecake and attacks on a country; however, I think you would agree that adultery IS a matter of morals.
2007-03-08 21:50:28 · answer #4 · answered by bob z 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
When the Pope speaks 'ex catherdra" or from "Peters Chair (though it's not really Peters chair) he only speaks of matters of the faithful, and only after long hours of discussion with the magesterium (the teaching body of the church). Only then is he said to be "infallible". If he spoke about attacking America, or what cereal to eat, or that 2 +2 = 5, then this would just be his opinion, and would carry no weight with the faithful.
2007-03-08 21:47:39 · answer #5 · answered by thewizardofodd 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Pope hasn't been infallible for 400 years. Wake up!
2007-03-08 21:43:38 · answer #6 · answered by bullwinkle 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Pope is only infallable in areas of religious doctrine. He can have all sorts of personal opinions riddled with bad ideas and stuff, but as for the faith itself, God will lead him to say the right things...too bad all people don't have that power...oh what a world we would have!
2007-03-08 21:49:02 · answer #7 · answered by Heavenly Advocate 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The claim of papal infallibility is ridiculous but let's fair. The Pope's alleged infallibility requires that two conditions be satisfied:
1. He is speaking on a matter of faith and morals
2. He is speaking *ex cathedra*, specifically in his official capacity as Bishop of Rome claiming to be speaking with the authority of St. Peter.
2007-03-08 21:50:45 · answer #8 · answered by fra59e 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Who said the pope is infallible. Not me.
2007-03-08 21:44:53 · answer #9 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
America is taking care of itself. The Pope would never say such a thing.
2007-03-09 05:18:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋