Papal Infalability
[ Home ] [ Up ] [ What does Catholic Mean ] [ In Whom Do You Put You Trust? ] [ Papal Infalability ]

Email Login Password New users sign up!

Site Index

This issue is perhaps one of the biggest objections to Catholicism I have faced. This article is an attempt to explain what Papal infalability is.

Let us examine some  scripture. Chris said to Peter, "I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of Heacen and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven." (matt 16:10). If we couple this " binding and loosing" that Christ gave Peter with Christ statement that the "gates of hell would not prevail" against his church then how could Peter, or any other Pope, issue a binding statement that contradicts Christ's teaching. If they did succesfully issue such a false statement then Christ mislead us. Further if Christ told his followers to "hear the Church," (matt 18:17) would he not make certain that what his followers heard was the truth.

Papal infallibility does not mean the Pope is always correct. The Pope is human and like all humans is subject to error and sin. Throug these scripture passages and others we see how Christ promised us that the Church, with Peter as its cornerstone, is "the pillar and ground of truth" (1Tim 3:15).

For the Pope to issue an infalible statement four conditions must be met:

1. He must be speeking officially as the head of the entire church. We call this ex cathedra, "from the chair" of Peter.
2. His statement must applu to the "entire" church.
3. It must be a statement on faith or morals.
4. The Pope must intend for the statement to be a final decision on a teaching of faith or morals.

The first Papal proclamation was made by Peter himself. In Lukes Acts of the Apostles, chapter 15, the converted pharisees of Jerusalem learn about the results of Pauls first missionary journey. They urge that the Gentiles be taught to follow the mosaic law including circumcision. Paul recognizes the authority of the Church in Jerusalem and goes there with Barnabas to settle the question of whether the Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include this obligation. After much debate has taken place amoung the apostles and presbyters (we call this the magisterium today), Peter stands up as the head and makes the final decision. He does not make this decision on his own accord but on the grounds that God bestowed the Holy Spirit upon cornelius and his household without preconditions concerning the adoption of the mosaic law (devine tradition). Peter then goes on to define the fundamental meaning of the Gospel: that all are invited to be saved through faith in the power of Christ.

The Pope does not have any authority to originate new doctrine. He can not alter or change a single word of scripture  or devine tradition. He is strictly limited to doctrinal interpretations, to clarify or define some point of ancient tradition.

This page was last updated on 10/31/00.

233 people have visited this page