Infallibility
The concept of infallibility is often misunderstood both by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The first thing to remember is that the charism of infallibility does not place the Pope and the Bishops in juridical control of the meaning of the Bible. Remember that the Bible itself is God’s revelation of himself to us. Being God, he of course can reveal to us whatever he wishes. It is only in service to the Word and not as one superior to it, that the Magisterium does its work. The purpose of Magisterial teachings is to allow God though his Word to instruct the Church without confusion or interference, not for the Magisterium or the Church to instruct God (CCC 86).
A second important aspect is that the Magisterium can only teach what she herself has received from the Word of God—both the written Word of God (Scripture) and the Word of God as it has been lived in the Church (Tradition). God has after all revealed Himself to the whole people of God, the Church and it is only there where the truth can be found. This is why when the Magisterium is teaching, she must first listen to what the Word of God is saying in Scripture and Tradition.
A third important aspect is that the charism of infallibility is not carte blanche for the Pope or bishops to make up whatever doctrines seem suitable, nor does the charism of infallibility guarantee that the Magisterium will do a good job as shepherds of the Church. The infallibility of the Magisterial Teaching office of the Church is based ultimately on the infallibility of the Catholic Church as a whole, when one considers the Church past, present as well as future (CCC 91-93). And the charism of infallibility is a negative gift . It does not guarantee that the interventions by the Magisterium are helpful, timely or even effective. It does not prevent the shepherds from becoming so distracted that many of the sheep stray. What it does guarantee is that neither the Pope nor the Bishops will commit the Church to error. They might be bad shepherds and have been at some periods in the history of the Church but at least they will not lead the sheep off a cliff to their destruction!
A second important aspect is that the Magisterium can only teach what she herself has received from the Word of God—both the written Word of God (Scripture) and the Word of God as it has been lived in the Church (Tradition). God has after all revealed Himself to the whole people of God, the Church and it is only there where the truth can be found. This is why when the Magisterium is teaching, she must first listen to what the Word of God is saying in Scripture and Tradition.
A third important aspect is that the charism of infallibility is not carte blanche for the Pope or bishops to make up whatever doctrines seem suitable, nor does the charism of infallibility guarantee that the Magisterium will do a good job as shepherds of the Church. The infallibility of the Magisterial Teaching office of the Church is based ultimately on the infallibility of the Catholic Church as a whole, when one considers the Church past, present as well as future (CCC 91-93). And the charism of infallibility is a negative gift . It does not guarantee that the interventions by the Magisterium are helpful, timely or even effective. It does not prevent the shepherds from becoming so distracted that many of the sheep stray. What it does guarantee is that neither the Pope nor the Bishops will commit the Church to error. They might be bad shepherds and have been at some periods in the history of the Church but at least they will not lead the sheep off a cliff to their destruction!
Discussion of "Infallibility"
Add your voice to this discussion.
Checking your signed in status ...