Can you explain the Church and this grave matter?

[Sigma]

If I’m not mistaken, the Church has, in the past, defined certain things as grave matter only to have that definition later modified (e.g. Vatican II) to imply that it is NOT grave matter (e.g. It was once considered grave matter to attend a protestant service, whereas now it is not). I wouldn’t doubt that more examples could be found.

Since the Church is infallible in defining faith and morals, what are the implications of this situation? It would appear that the Church has contradicted herself.

Perhaps I have misunderstood this entire thing, and need correcting. I hope for that, and I welcome such correction. I’d really appreciate an answer, because I’ve posted a question like this before, and it was never answered.

Dominus tecum.
-S

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

The term “grave matter” pertains to moral matters. Allowing Catholics to attend Protestant services is a matter of discipline–as is the matter of not abstainding from meat on Fridays. That the Church can change matters of discipline in no way affects its teachings on faith and morals. It is the latter than it cannot substantially change.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.