I always wonder....I as a Catholic bother to actuallie to
research on the doctrines of protestantism be it the 5 solas or
even speaking in tongues etc etc, why can protestants do the
same.
Papal Infallibility
In Roman Catholic theology, only the actual act of teaching
is properly called "infallible". For example, according to
Roman Catholic dogma, Pope Pius IX's teaching regarding the
Immaculate Conception was infallible; it is grammatically incorrect
to say "the pope is [sometimes] infallible" or to say "the
Immaculate Conception is infallible". Nonetheless, these phrases
are frequently used in conversations or Catholic writings
Statements by a pope that exercise papal infallibility are referred
to as solemn papal definitions or ex cathedra teachings. These
should not be confused with teachings that are infallible because
of a solemn definition by an ecumenical council, or with teachings
that are infallible in virtue of being taught by the ordinary and
universal magisterium. For details on these other kinds of
infallible teachings, see Infallibility of the Church.
According to the teaching of the First Vatican Council and Catholic
tradition, the conditions required for ex cathedra teaching are as
follows:
1. "the Roman Pontiff"
2. "speaks ex cathedra" ("that is, when in the discharge of his
office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, and by virtue of
his supreme apostolic authority
.")
3. "he defines"
4. "that a doctrine concerning faith or morals"
5. "must be held by the whole Church" (Pastor Aeternus, chap.
4)
Infallibility does not refer to the inability to sin
(impeccability), or to the personal holiness of a person, although
it is occasionally misunderstood in that sense.
List of Papal Infalliblity
Tome to Flavian", Pope Leo I, 449, on the two natures in Christ,
received by the Council of Chalcedon;
Letter of Pope Agatho, 680, on the two wills of Christ, received by
the Third Council of Constantinople;
Benedictus Deus, Pope Benedict XII, 1336, on the beatific vision of
the just prior to final judgment;
Cum occasione, Pope Innocent X, 1653, condemning five propositions
of Jansen as heretical;
Auctorem fidei, Pope Pius VI, 1794, condemning seven Jansenist
propositions of the Synod of Pistoia as heretical;
Ineffabilis Deus, Pope Pius IX, 1854, defining the immaculate
conception; and
Munificentissimus Deus, Pope Pius XII, 1950, defining the
assumption of Mary.
