Question 201 – Are Pope’s teachings infallible?

Transcript:

The infallibility of the Church is exercised when a pope officially and formally proclaims a specific truth, so-called ex-cathedra. This is a formal act in which the pope declares a truth that has been revealed by God, such as the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Our Lady. This is one way in which infallibility is exercised.

Another way is when an ecumenical council, together with the pope, proclaims a dogma. Throughout history, in almost twenty ecumenical councils, infallible truths have been proclaimed, often using the formula anathema sit those who do not believe these truths are excluded from the Church, excommunicated, or anathematized. This is the second way in which the Church exercises its infallibility.

Thirdly, the Church is infallible through the ages when the pope and the bishops, in their ordinary magisterium, consistently teach the same truth, in the same manner, in nearly all places. This universal teaching also carries infallibility. For example, the prohibition of direct contraception is against divine law, and the Church, through the popes and the bishops, has consistently taught this truth. Therefore, this teaching is per se infallible.

Similarly, the Church’s constant teaching regarding the ordination of women is infallible. John Paul II, for instance, confirmed that the ordination of priests is reserved for men alone, following God's institution. This is an infallible truth, even though the statements made by Pope Paul VI and John Paul II regarding contraception and female ordination were not ex-cathedra acts, but rather confirmations of the Church's perennial teaching.

I hope that a future pope will formally declare ex-cathedra the confirmation of such truths, like those regarding contraception and the ordination of women, in order to provide greater clarity and finality on these matters.