Papal Infallibility

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 30, 12 August 1925, Page 57

Papal Infallibility

Not only does Papal Infallibility have no 1 reference whatever to the political action of Catholics, but it has a very limited application to their religious beliefs:(says the Poston Pilot). Papal Infallibility is a dogma which was promulgated in 1870. J.ts meaning is best exhibited ,by the following paragraphs of Cardinal Gibbons’ Faith of Our Fathers (up. 118-20): As the doctrine of Papal Infallibility is strangely misapprehended, by our separated brethren, because it is grievously misrepresented by those who profess to be enlightened ministers of the Gospel, I. shall begin by stating what Infallibility does not mean, and shall then explain what it really is; First.— Infallibility of the Popes does not signify that they are inspired. The Apostles were endowed with the gift of inspiration, and we accept their writings as the revered Word of, God. .. No Catholic, on the contrary, claims that the Pope is inspired or endowed with Divine Revelation properly so called. ’ • Second. — Infallibility does not mean that, tho Pope is impeccable or specially exempt from liability to sin. .The Popes have been, indeed, with, few exceptions, men of/virfious lives. Many of them are . honored as martyrs. Seventy-nine out of 259, are in- ; yoked upon our altars. as saints eminent for their holiness. % Third, — in mind, also, that this Divine assistance is guaranteed to the Pope not' in his capacity as private teacher, but only in his official capacity, when he judges’ faith and morals as • head of the * Church. If a Pope, for,, instance, like Benedict XIV,. were to write a treatise on Canon Law', his book would 'be as much open to criticism as that of any Doctor of the Church. v 4.1 rF u 4.1: • "'c• N: ' mirth. —Finally, the inerrability of the - r '-['-y-'F -' ■■■ v : I: >. .v. . • v s:h

Popes,-being restricted to questions of faith and morals, does not extend to the natural sciences, such as astronomy or geology, unless where error is presented under the false name of science, and arrays itself against revealed truth. It does not, therefore, concern itself about the nature hud motions of the planets. Nor does it regard purely’ political questions, such as the form of goveminent a nation ought to adopt ,or for what candidates we ought to vote. F What, then, is the real doctrine of In-] fallibility It simply means that the Pope, as successor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, by virtue of the promises of Jesus Christ, is preserved from the error of judgment when he promulgates the Church’s decision on faith or morals. The Pope, therefore, be it known, is not the maker of* the Divine law ; he. is only its, expounder. He is not the author of Revelation but only its interpreter. All Revelation came from God alone .through His inspired ministers, and it was complete in the beginning of the Church. The Holy Father has no more authority than you or I to break one iota of the Scriptures,'and he is equally with us the servant of the Divine law. , „ In a word, the 1 (Sovereign Pontiff is to the Church, .' though in a moreeminent degree, what the Chief / Justice is to the United States. We have an instrument called the Constitution of, the United States, which is r ' i , ' ' the charter of our civil rights and liberties. If a controversy arises between two States regarding a constitutional clause, the question is referred,: in the last resort, to the Supreme Court at Washington. ■ The Chief Justice, with his associate Judges, examines/ into the'case, and then pronounces judgment upon it; and / this decision /is final, irrevocable, "and;practically infallible. . ?