CHAT: Strictly CHAT: Infallibility

Raymond Brown wrote:

> [W]hen the Church solemnly
> defines a doctrine to be held by all the faithful it will be preserved from
> error, i.e. the infallibility of Mother Church is common to both traditions.
As I recall, the issue at Vatican I (1870) was whether:

        a) the infallibility of the Church just happened to be concentrated
        at the Bishop of Rome, de facto, or

        b) the infallibility of the Church implied a consequent infallibility
        of the Pope.

> Papal infallibility does _not_ mean a Pope says nothing wrong!
Indeed, only statements made:

        a) _ex cathedra_, in the Pope's capacity of Universal Doctor, and

        b) concerning faith or morals

are said to be infallible.  Any infallibility which might inhere in any other
ex cathedra statements is a question.  IIRC, the Popes have in fact made
no such ex cathedra statements since 1870.

> In fact all priests in the Greek tradition hold the title  :)
In the Discordian/Eristic tradition, we have the popehood of all believers
and unbelievers.  You can get an ID card saying so:

        The holder of this card is a genuine and authorized POPE.
        Please treat him or her as such.

:-)

--

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