Q: In the two thousand year history of the Catholic Church, how many infallible teachings were handed down by a Pope?
A: Two (Mary's Assumption into Heaven; Mary's Immaculate Conception)
"Infallible" was given the term "ex cathedra" which designates the teaching came from larger magisterium--The Church itself. For example both "infallible" teachings came after hundreds of years of thought and investigation by all levels of the Church--usually starting with parishioners--and then on up until finally authorized by whomever was then Pope. The term "infallible" came to be used simply because it means the teaching may not be changed by future generations--just as the teachings of Christ may not be changed by future generations. This is why Catholics hold staunchly to Apostolic tradition--so that the teachings from Christ himself will not change.
Popes (and their words) are not "infallible" and never have been.
The other Christian groups say only God is "infallible," but the Catholics still have the Pope. Why have them? I don't know enough to say what happened throughout the history of the Catholic church from other Christian church views, but the liberal media usually have plenty of criticisms such as --
Eight of the worst popes in church history | CNN.
Here's something I wouldn't agree with...
"
The Holy Roman Catholic Church has for its earthly head the Sovereign Pontiff, the Bishop of Rome. So important is this office, that one of its greatest holders, the elect of God, Boniface VIII infallibly stated, “Indeed we declare, say, pronounce, and define that it is altogether necessary to salvation for every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” But there exist in our day many radically different opinions regarding the present Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as of his immediate few predecessors.
Among Catholics who would label themselves in any way “conservative,” “orthodox,” or “traditional” there are these two divergent assessments: One view says that the Holy Father is a living saint, he can do no wrong, and that we as Catholics should obey him in all things and not criticize anything he says or does. After all, he is infallible, and, under the direct influence of the Holy Ghost, he is leading the Church on to even greater conquests."
There's no need for a Holy Father to say all humans should be under his rule.
Written in preparation for a talk on sedevacantism, available from our bookstore on CD or MP3 I. Introduction II. Visibility and Indefectibility of the Church III. Valid Elections IV. Papal Sovereignty V. The Problem of An Heretical Pope VI. The … Continue reading →
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