05-13-2011, 04:22 PM
cbelt3 wrote:
A letter from the Pope does NOT mean "This is the infallible word of God". The Pope only uses the concept on "Infallibility" very, very rarely. The last recognized one was in 1950.
Yes, cbelt3, people make this mistake a lot. The declaration about the Assumption of Mary happened in 1954, and was a biggie. Infallibility didn't exist until the late 19th century, and it only applies to matters of teaching on dogma. There is LOTS in the catechism and in broader Catholic teaching that is not established as infallible, including teachings on celibacy in the priesthood, contraception, and the ordination of women. Although these matters are subsumed under matters on which there are official church positions and teachings, those teachings are not dogmatic in themselves. Of course, Catholics are still required to follow them, but Popes or ecumenical councils could change them at a future date.