I have a friend who is a devout Catholic, but says he does not believe in the infallability of the Pope.?

Question

If you are a Catholic, can you just pick and choose what to believe in? This is a sincere question and is not meant as a criticizm on the Catholic Church. Is my friend justified in what he believes?

Answer 1

The pope is only infallible when speaking "ex cathedra" and this has happened only a few times. It would be important to put your friends view into context in order to discern whether he believes that even under the special circumstances of speaking "ex cathedra" that he does not believe the pope can speak infallibly. Does he disagree with any of the popes infallible statements?

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 2

false impression: The Pope is infallible in all issues Roman Catholics have faith that purely below specific circumstances is the pope infallible (it quite is, he can no longer make a mistake). The Catholic Church defines 3 circumstances below which the Pope is infallible: I. The Pope could desire to be making a decree on concerns of religion or morals II. The announcement could desire to be binding on the entire Church III. The Pope could desire to be speaking with the entire authority of the Papacy, and not in a private means. this means that once the Pope is speaking on concerns of technology, he could make blunders (as we've considered interior the previous with subject concerns jointly with Heliocentricity). besides the undeniable fact that, while he's coaching a rely of religion and the different 2 circumstances above are met, Catholics evaluate that the decree is comparable to the recognize God. it may no longer contradict any previous declarations and it may desire to be believed by using all Catholics. Catholics have faith that if a man or woman denies any of those solemn decrees, they're committing a mortal sin – the form of sin that sends a man or woman to hell. right this is an occasion of an infallible decree from the Council of Trent (below Pope Saint Pius V – sixteenth Century): If all of us denies that interior the sacrament of the main Holy Eucharist are contained quite, quite and appreciably the physique and blood alongside with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for this reason the entire Christ, yet says that he's in it purely as in an illustration, or discern or stress, permit him be anathema. The final area of the acceptable sentence “permit him be anathema” is a super-unfold word that commonly seems on the top of an infallible fact. It potential “permit him be cursed”. the main present day pronouncement which will properly be considered as falling below Papal Infallibility replaced into while Pope John Paul II declared that ladies folk could desire to no longer grow to be monks.

Answer 3

Not really.

+ Papal Infallability +

First your friend, even though he is Catholic, may not know exactly what Papal Infallability means.

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.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 891: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#891 and http://www.catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp

+ Cafeteria +

Cafeteria style dining means to pick and choose what food to take from a cafeteria line.

The term "Cafeteria Christians" refers to people who view Christianity like a cafeteria where one picks and chooses only those beliefs that appeal to them and reject a genuine interpretation of Christian doctrine and the teachings of Jesus.

The term "Cafeteria Catholics" is similar. It is used to describe people who dissent from certain teachings of the Catholic Church while maintaining an outward identity as Catholics.

In Los Angeles in 1987, Pope John Paul II said: "It has to be noted that there is a tendency on the part of some Catholics to be selective in their adherence to the Church's moral teaching. It is sometimes claimed that dissent from the magisterium is totally compatible with being a "good Catholic," and poses no obstacle to the reception of the Sacraments. This is a grave error that challenges the teaching of the Bishops in the United States and elsewhere."

Heresy is the obstinate denial after Baptism of a truth which must be believed with with divine and Catholic faith.

"Cafeteria Catholics" in denial of certain truths are in danger of committing heresy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafeteria_Christianity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafeteria_Catholic

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 4

I was under the impression that the Catholic Church no longer states that the Pope is infallible.

Answer 5

The Pope is infallible too, he is human. And since when has any religion been good at not picking and choosing what they believe.

Answer 6

No, you cannot pick and choose what you want to believe in. Otherwise you wouldn't be Catholic. There are Catholics who believe in abortion, that doesn't mean their following what the Church teaches.

Answer 7

To be a Catholic is to believe what ever is told by a man.It is truly a religion. It makes no difference to me.Psalms 23 the Lord is my Shepard,i shall not want,He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside the still waters,he restores my soul.He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake (Jesus). Even though I walk through the valley of death (Earth) I will fear no evil for God is with me.His word and his spirit they comfort me.He has prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies,he anoints my head with oil (the holy spirit) my cup (blessings) overflows. Surely goodness and mercy (Love) will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house (Church) of the Lord forever! I am in hopes that the Catholic church will get back to their senses.

Answer 8

If your friend is a very devout person he probably believes that only God is infallable and by his logic it really stands to reason. The pope is a man, plain and simple, and is therefore imperfect. It sounds to me like your friend has a realistic view of his faith.

Answer 9

Catholics are not the only ones who pick and choose what their doctrines teach them. So, I wouldn't worry too much about his approach....I mean, after all, we can't control what others do, anyway. Do what you think is best for you and what you believe is the right answer for your belief system.

Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood

Answer 10

The only three people I know of that were pure in this world are:

1. Mary.
2. John (Aka Yahya)
3. Jesus the Messiah

The rest of us are completely fallible and are in need of forgiveness from God ... not the Pope ... who himself needs more guidance than he thinks. Even the 3 pure ones need Gods mercy and forgiveness, without that we are all LOST.