Can the Church teach infallibly regarding morals?

[David_Ancell]

I was at a Catholic talk in which the speaker said that the Church has never taught infallibly on a moral issue, presumably because nothing was declared ex cathedra. He said the Church has taught “authoritatively” but not “infallibly.” He then mentioned how we could, if we prayed and thought about it, we could go against the Church’s teachings if our conscience told us to. Another in the group said that some moral teachings (e.g. contraception) are not infallible and may change.

Is this true? I doubt it, but I am not sure how to explain that either the Church has taught infallibly or that there is some other reason why the teaching can’t change. Thanks for your time.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear David,

This is “De fide” which means that we are obliged as Catholic to believe it: “The primary object of Infallibility is the formally revealed truths of Christian Doctrine concerning faith and morals.” ( Can be found in Denzinger, #1839) “The secondary object of the Infallibility is truths of the Christian teaching on faith and morals, which are not formally revealed, but which are closely connected with the teaching of Revelation.” Both of these quotes can be found on pages 298 and 299 in “Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma” by Dr. Ludwig Ott.

Our Lord taught infallibly regarding morals. Why should He preserve the Church from error in matters of dogma and not morals? Nowhere in Scripture do we find our Lord allowing His followers to counter His moral teachings because their consciences told them otherwise. They were to conform themselves, consciences and all, to His teaching—if they we to be His followers.

In giving the keys of the kingdom to Peter (Mt. 16:19), Jesus is giving him the power to bind and loose. Upon Peter, the rock He built His Church (Mt 16:18). In Luke 10:16 He says to His apostles, “He who hears you hears me and he who rejects you rejects me and he who rejects me rejects him who sen me.” If we reject the teachings of the Church, we are rejecting Him. We had better Inform our consciences of the Church’s authority and then CONform them to it’s teachings.

The Church is not about to change it’s teaching on contraception either. I would encourage you to get the book, “Good News About Sex and Marriage” by Christopher West which explains the Church’s teaching in a very positive and logical manner. You may order it through shopcatholic.com or by phone: 888 291 8000.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.