Papal Infallibility
1870 AD
📂 CHURCH
📖 About This Event
Papal infallibility was defined as dogma at the First Vatican Council (Vatican I) in 1870, under Pope Pius IX, by the constitution Pastor Aeternus. The dogma teaches that 'when the Roman Pontiff speaks ex cathedra—that is, when, in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church—he, by the divine assistance promised to him in blessed Peter, possesses that infallibility with which the divine Christ willed that his Church should be endowed in defining doctrine concerning faith or morals, and that therefore such definitions of the Roman Pontiff of their own nature and not by the consent of the Church are irreformable.'
The definition was controversial even at the time. Several bishops dissented, and some German and Austrian states withdrew their recognition of the Church. The definition was narrowly crafted: it applies only when the Pope speaks ex cathedra on matters of faith and morals, not to every statement the Pope makes. In the entire history of the Church, only two statements have been universally recognized as ex cathedra: the Immaculate Conception (1854) and the Assumption of Mary (1950).
The Catholic Church teaches that papal infallibility is a charism (gift) given to protect the Church from error in matters of faith and morals, not a personal prerogative of the Pope. Key Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19; Luke 22:32; John 16:13; CCC 888-894
📜 Key Facts
Date
1870 AD
Category
Church
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