Preview

Catholic Church Infallibility Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1853 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Catholic Church Infallibility Analysis
In the very beginning God created the first man and the first woman, Adam and Eve. The result of them turning their back on God presented us with original sin, including the pope. How is it possible for the Pope to be considered infallible? The Catholic teaching on papal infallibility is very misunderstood by those who participate in other faiths and even Catholics as well. The definition of infallibility is the inability to be wrong. Infallibility is not the absence of sin, nor does it only belong to the Pope. Infallibility belongs to the Bishops in communion with the Pope as well. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that it “is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company …show more content…
“Bishop is superior to bishop in rank; not in real power…the head of the Catholic world is not the centre of unity, except as having a primacy of order” (Misner 28). This quote illustrates that Anglicans interpret the Pope in communion with the Bishops as a council that is superior in rank, but not in power. In believing in this concept, Anglicans have a very hard time grasping the concept of Papal infallibility. The church states that “Papal infallibility is not a personal prerogative” (Glazier 124). This means that the pope is enabled the charism of infallibility only when he is in the act of defining a doctrine of faith or morals on the universal Church’s behalf. The pope is not above the church, he is rather a moral guide to the truth. Vatican I declared that papal definitions are “irreformable.” Irreformability does not mean that infallible teachings are perfect when they are announced, and are also allowed to be changed if need be (Tierney 37). Anglicans state that papal infallibility is impossible because deciding whether the Pope is essentially telling the truth compared to what scripture or tradition is stating cannot be proven. Anglicans take advantage of the fact that Catholics believe that the private or ordinary teaching of the Pope can be wrong, but the magisterium in communion with …show more content…
Anglicans have made their argument by stating the pope’s doctrines can in no way be considered infallible on the basis that scripture and tradition do not provide support for the pope’s claims, that the Pope is unable to work entirely alone, and that there is no limiting power between the pope in communion with the bishops. The Anglican Church has made it very clear in their point of view and beliefs on the matter of the papacy, but who is to say that all of these claims can be justified and supported? The Catholic Church holds very strong, faith based teachings and morals. The Church is constantly contradicted. Catholics trust that everything God does is out of love for us. He has made a clear path for centuries and we are his loyal disciples that He has called on us to follow him. With that calling, comes the responsibility of defending the Catholic faith in any circumstances that might come up. God sent us his only son to save us so that we then would have a chance to spread the Gospel and to live our lives for the greater glory of God. It is clear that the Anglican Church has different views on the subject of Papal Infallibility. But, as Catholics of the faith we are
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    CHHI 301 B02 The Rise Of Papacy Paper 2
    • 1506 Words
    • 4 Pages

    CHHI 301 B02 The Rise Of Papacy Paper 2

    The rise of the papacy came at a time when the Roman Empire collapsed and there was chaos as it related to the bishops who held office in Rome and what religion would be at the forefront of the representation of the west or east of Rome since its demise. The term “papacy” (papatus), meant to distinguish the Roman bishop’s office from all bishoprics (episcopatus), and The Head of the Roman Catholic Church the pope is considered the successor of Peter and the vicar of Christ (Elwell, p. 888). The “pope” is a terms of endearment which means “father” and this was the title of the most important and influential bishops in the early church. The church at Rome nevertheless enjoyed and wanted to preserve the original apostolic faith and the prominence, and they as bishops also owned its apostolic “founders” and to its political setting, and this led to the inspiration of these bishops to exercise greater leadership in Rome and abroad (Elwell, p. 888). Most emperors and patriarchs of Constantinople, challenged the bishops and their beliefs by saying that the church in Rome is new and improved but that they are still believe in the old Roman church. The popes or bishops were not moved by their words and they knew that they were not living up to the apostolic ways of the founding fathers who came before them and that their primacy was derived from Peter and not from their political setting which in turn made their claim to fame to be truly based upon the “apostolic”(Elwell, p. 888). The Apostle Peter was sent to Rome by Jesus to build God’s Church. In Matthew 16:18, NLT, says 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’),[a] and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell[b]…

    • 1506 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    To What Extend Was the Papacy Successful in Asserting Its Dominance over the Western Church?
    • 2243 Words
    • 9 Pages

    To What Extend Was the Papacy Successful in Asserting Its Dominance over the Western Church?

    The extent to which the papacy asserted dominance over the Western Church has been greatly disputed amongst historians. Certain historians would argue that there is little to suggest that the pope had control from inside other than papal reform to prevent unrest and, would argue that in fact the real conflict was between him and individual states and that he had to deal with multiple reforms and claims that failed. However, there are Historians who would suggest that, in fact, the papacy was successful in asserting its authority over the Western Church due to the religious significance of the Pope’s position which on occasions caused individual kings to submit to his power. Furthermore, it can be argued that although the Pope was the figure head of the Church and had power, he had to rely on the support and co-operation of Kings if he was to be able to keep control over the Western Church and therefore it could be said that he was not as dominant as one would think.…

    • 2243 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Pope Gregory Win In Battles Over Power Essay
    • 822 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Pope Gregory Win In Battles Over Power Essay

    One reason for this is that Popes usually won when it came to battles over power. Pope Gregory VII was a prime example of this. Gregory did not hesitate to excommunicate King Henry IV after his attempt to take power away from the clergy. To have this horrible punishment revoked Henry proceeded to travel to Italy's northern mountains and stood barefoot in the snow for three days. After three days the Pope finally agreed to see Henry and had his excommunication revoked. King Henry's willingness to stand in frozen mountains proved he was giving the power back to the Pope, for only high up Church officials could excommunicate and excommunicate.…

    • 822 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Henrician Reformation Turning Point
    • 1892 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Henrician Reformation Turning Point

    It is important however to remember that the pope had never had much direct political power in England. He had no army and no proper tax base therefore he could not invade except through an alliance with secular allies. Indeed he blocked Henry 's dispensation to divorce Catherine of Aragon, but a king who was less worried about his soul and his wife’s nephew, the emperor, invading would probably just have ignored his commands. The king had also always had lots of power over the church. Political partnerships between kings, their bishops and abbots had always been a feature of the church, and this war true throughout the period 1485-1529. Henry VII enjoyed a very close relationship with the church through Cardinal John Morton, who was not only Archbishop of Canterbury but enjoyed secular power too as Lord Chancellor. Bishop Richard Foxe was also important to Henry Tudor and these senior figures of the clergy helped Henry develop his tax policies, while at the same time, Benefit of Clergy and other privileges of the church were untouched by the king. This close relationship between church and crown continued for the first twenty years of Henry CIII’s reign, as demonstrated by his long reliance and trust for Cardinal…

    • 1892 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Roman Church Of The Protestant Reformation Analysis
    • 309 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Roman Church Of The Protestant Reformation Analysis

    Many critiques were made about the Catholic church during the time of the Protestant Reformation. One of these critiques can be found in source number 1, a letter written from Luther to the Pope. A critique Luther makes about the church in this letter is that they use their power to steal from the people. In Luther’s words, “the Roman Church as become the most licentious den of thieves” (Luther). One of the things Luther is referring to here is the Church saying if you buy this certificate, called an indulgence, you will go to heaven. This is a clear example of the Church using their power to steal from the poeple. Another critique is made in source number 2. Source number 2 is an excerpt from the book Protestants the Birth of a Revolution,…

    • 309 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Explain Why The Catholic Church Weakened By Renaissance Popes
    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Explain Why The Catholic Church Weakened By Renaissance Popes

    Each pope slowly contributed to the weakening of the Catholic Church as very few had a great faith and religious attitude. Their thoughts and time turned to them thinking more about worldly greatness than the salvation of souls. They turned their focus onto violence, greed, armies and wars against Christians rather than growing their own religion, doing good and being peaceful. They were very money orientated and did many things to gain more money, many going against celibacy and kusing their religious power…

    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Roman Catholic Church Influences on Europe in the Middle Age
    • 356 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Roman Catholic Church Influences on Europe in the Middle Age

    Pope Boniface VIII said he "declares state, define and pronounce that it is altogether necessary to salvation for every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff."(Doc. 2) Kings and Lords would not agree with this because the Pope believed he had Divine Power. That mean the Pope believes God has given him power over everything and everyone. Not only does he believe he has this power, he thinks he can tell people they will have salvation only if they are Catholic.…

    • 356 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Martin Luther's Guilty Of Heresy
    • 1049 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Martin Luther's Guilty Of Heresy

    “The pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring that it has been remitted by God…” These words are some of the words that were stated in the 95 Theses by Martin Luther which caused him to be accused of heresy by the Catholic Church. He was accused of heresy because his words had challenged the pope and the practices of the Catholic Church. While some people think Martin Luther was guilty of heresy, there are other people that think that Martin Luther was innocent. From doing research, Martin Luther was guilty of the charges presented against him.…

    • 1049 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Corrupt Church and Martin Luther
    • 743 Words
    • 22 Pages

    The Corrupt Church and Martin Luther

    Martin Luther was taught as a monk to only believe what scripture preaches. With many years of reading Luther even truly believed that the church was flawed due to the positions and the power the positions hold. Nowhere in scripture was it detailed that there should be a pope let alone have him be above the law and be so powerful. Luther wrote many pamphlets and letters to the pope describing him as the devil himself sometimes and how corrupt he was. Document E clearly states from the Ninety-fi e thesis that martin Luther wrote, “The pope has neither the will nor the power to remit any penalties beyond those imposed either at his own discretion or by canon law.” It also stated…

    • 743 Words
    • 22 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Catholic vs. Protestant - Why Is There so Much Animosity?
    • 568 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Catholic vs. Protestant - Why Is There so Much Animosity?

    Behind the particular disagreements over the role of faith and works, the sacraments, the canon of Scripture, the role of the priesthood, prayers to saints, and all the issues surrounding Mary and the Pope, etc., lies the biggest rift between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism: the issue of authority. How one answers the authority question will generally solve all the others. When it comes down to deciding a theological issue about defined Catholic dogma, there isn’t really much to discuss on the Catholic's side because once Rome speaks, it is settled. This is a problem when trying to debate a Roman…

    • 568 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Rcia
    • 1421 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Rcia

    The Church as Apostolic: The Church is apostolic because she was built on the foundation of the apostles, she guards and hands on the teachings of the apostles and she is taught and sanctified by the successors of the apostles in union with the successor of Peter, the Pope.…

    • 1421 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Relationship Between Politics and Religion
    • 580 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Relationship Between Politics and Religion

    One of the relationships between religion and politics was papal primacy (church power over ruler power) as seen in documents 3, 4, and 5. In the fifth century, Pope Gelasius I told the Roman emperor it was important to defer to papal authority. He wrote this in a demanding and domineering way in order to maintain power over secular rulers. Gelasius I’s letter illustrates the idea of papal primacy where he stated, “[P]iously bow your neck to those who have charge of divine affairs” (doc. 3). Since the pope argued that rulers should “bow” to the clergy, this indicates the power of the pope over secular rulers. Similarly, Pope Gregory VII asserted his power over princes and their subjects. Since the Dictatus Papae was a letter, which was candid, it probably portrays the pope’s views accurately. In the letter the pope claimed he had the power to release people from their ruler’s authority, which suggests the pope was superior to rulers in terms of their power (doc. 4). Gregory VII also railed against lay investiture (kings appointing bishops). As a pope, he would of course see matters of faith as most important because he was head of the Church. His decree exemplifies papal primacy because he proclaimed, “[N]o clergyman shall receive investiture … from the hand of the emperor, or the king” (doc. 5). By reserving the power to appoint bishops, the pope had more power than emperors and kings. Another document that might further this analysis of papal primacy would be a comparison of the land holdings of kings versus the papacy. This might indicate whether or not wealth contributed to the papacy’s sense of superiority over secular rulers.…

    • 580 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Catholic Church Successes
    • 301 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Catholic Church Successes

    The Catholic Church had many close encounters of failure in the first 400 years of its being, yet it is still standing 2,000 years later. Jesus said “the gates of hell will never prevail against it”, meaning that no matter what, the church shall never fall.1 Through the hardships of the Church, the Church still stands strong due to the guidance of the Holy Spirit guiding the members of the Church on to the right path.…

    • 301 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Middle Ages Essay
    • 963 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Middle Ages Essay

    Paragraph 1: The pope was a powerful figure, both in terms of religion and also politically. A short term effect of the Pope’s position was that he had a lot of influence over who became political leaders. This was because the church had a lot of power over ordinary people and if the political leader didn’t have the respect and patronage of the pope, then people would not be so willing to accept the political ruler. A longer term effect of the pope’s power during the Middle Ages was the Crusades. Pope Urban II instructed the Christians of Europe to go on the Crusades, the purpose of which was to take control of Jerusalem and crush the Muslims and non-believers. A much longer term effect of this was the ongoing tension between Christianity and the Islamic faith. The pope is still a very powerful figure today. Just recently, Pope Francis invited Israeli and Palestinian leaders to the Vatican to pray for peace in the Middle East. This shows that the pope still has both religious and political influence.…

    • 963 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Compare And Contrast Catholicism Vs Christianity Essay
    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Catholicism Vs Christianity Essay

    Another difference in Catholicism and Christianity is a woman cannot be a Priest because she cannot plant a seed (as a male can). Catholicism has a leader The Pope, who is elected by bishops all over the world, this is a very prestigious position of faith and holds great power in the church. Many people believe that Catholics treat their women with less respect and dignity than their men,…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics