How does the Catholic Church define papal infallibility?

papal infallibility, in Roman Catholic theology, the doctrine that the pope, acting as supreme teacher and under certain conditions, cannot err when he teaches in matters of faith or morals.

Do Catholics believe in biblical infallibility?

Catholicism. The Catholic Church speaks not about infallibility of scripture but about its freedom from error, holding “the doctrine of the inerrancy of Scripture”.

When did the doctrine of papal infallibility begin?

The concept of papal infallibility arose in the 13th century due to increasing Franciscan influence at the papal court in Rome.

What are the four conditions for infallibility?

For Saint John Henry Newman enumerates four conditions, saying: “He speaks ex cathedra, or infallibly, when he speaks, first, as the Universal Teacher; secondly, in the name and with the authority of the Apostles; thirdly, on a point of…

Why is the Catholic Church infallible?

The ordinary and universal episcopal magisterium is considered infallible as it relates to a teaching concerning a matter of faith and morals that all the bishops of the Church (including the Pope) universally hold as definitive and only as such therefore needing to be accepted by all the faithful.

Are papal encyclicals infallible?

The Catholic Church articulates and develops its teachings primarily through encyclicals. Encyclicals are authoritative, not to be criticized or rejected lightly by members of the church, but they are not infallible.

What does the word infallibility means?

Definition of infallible 1 : incapable of error : unerring an infallible memory. 2 : not liable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint : certain an infallible remedy. 3 : incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals.

Is the Catechism of the Catholic Church infallible?

While the catechism contains the infallible doctrines proclaimed by popes and ecumenical councils in church history — called dogmas — it also presents teachings not communicated and defined in those terms. In other words, all dogmas are considered doctrines, but not all doctrines are dogmas.

Is Catholic dogma infallible?

A dogma of the Catholic Church is defined as “a truth revealed by God, which the magisterium of the Church declared as binding.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: The faithful are only required to accept those teachings as dogma if the Church clearly and specifically identifies them as infallible dogmas.

Does the Catholic Church believe the Pope is infallible?

Catholicism maintains that the pope is infallible, incapable of error, when he teaches a doctrine on faith or morals to the universal Church in his unique office as supreme head. When the pope asserts his official authority in matters of faith and morals to the whole church, the Holy Spirit guards him from error.

What does papal infallibility mean in the Catholic Church?

Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church that states that, in virtue of the promise of Jesus to Peter, the Pope is preserved from the possibility of error “when, in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority,…

Are the Pope’s private theological opinions infallible?

A pope’s private theological opinions are not infallible; only what he solemnly defines is considered to be infallible teaching.

Does the Catholic Church teach that the pope cannot sin?

The Catholic Church’s teaching on papal infallibility is one that is generally misunderstood by those outside the Church. In particular, Fundamentalists and other “Bible Christians” often confuse the charism of papal “infallibility” with “impeccability.” They imagine Catholics believe the pope cannot sin.

Who first attributed infallibility to the Pope?

Brian Tierney argued that the 13th-century Franciscan priest Peter Olivi was the first person to attribute infallibility to the pope.