Papal Infallibility Question

[FlaviusGratian]

I have a question on papal infallibility.

In theory I understand how it works, which says that if a pope speaks ex cathedra he is protected from all heresy when defining a dogma of faith and morals.

But what I don’t understand is how it works beyond that. Could a pope, theoretically, say something heretical? Like, could a pope walk up and say “protestants who reject Catholic dogma will be saved” or “Mary was not a virgin”? Even if he does not mean it, could he, theologically speaking, actually say it? Is he protected from all heresies even when not speaking ex cathedra? I guess what I am asking here is, can a pope be absolutely protected from even material heresy, which is heresy that is spoken but the speaker is not aware he is even going against Catholic dogma?

Or in another sense, can a two popes disagree on a non yet-declared dogma? Could one pope say “Mary is the co-redemptrix” and another say “Mary is not the co-redemptrix”?

In which case, it doesn’t seem like dogma is necessary because whatever a pope says would be protected from heresy anyways.

So, my questions are:

1. Can a pope be a material heretic?
2. Is everything a pope says, even if it hasn’t been declared dogma yet, protected from heresy? Is everything a pope says, even if it isn’t dogma, true?

 

[Katholish]

But what I don’t understand is how it works beyond that. Could a pope, theoretically, say something heretical? Like, could a pope walk up and say “protestants who reject Catholic dogma will be saved” or “Mary was not a virgin”? Even if he does not mean it, could he, theologically speaking, actually say it? Is he protected from all heresies even when not speaking ex cathedra? I guess what I am asking here is, can a pope be absolutely protected from even material heresy, which is heresy that is spoken but the speaker is not aware he is even going against Catholic dogma?

No, the pope is not protected from material heresy, and one can find many instances of minor material heresies in personal papal writings or speeches.

Or in another sense, can a two popes disagree on a non yet-declared dogma? Could one pope say “Mary is the co-redemptrix” and another say “Mary is not the co-redemptrix”?

In their own personal speculation, yes.

So, my questions are:

1. Can a pope be a material heretic?
2. Is everything a pope says, even if it hasn’t been declared dogma yet, protected from heresy? Is everything a pope says, even if it isn’t dogma, true?

Yes, a pope can be a material heretic in so far as he acts as a private individual, not making magisterial statements.

No, not everything a pope says is protected.

 

[Classicist]

It’s helpful to know that whenever someone intended to authoritatively teach in the ancient world, they sat down. This is the origin of the word “cathedral” (compare “kathisma”, seat).

An ancient bishop sat in his cathedral to preach, while the people stood. The Lord Jesus Christ sat down to teach the Disciples on the Mount in Matthew 5. When a Pope makes uses his prerogative to judge in matters of faith, he must identify himself as Sitting In The Chair of Peter in a signed & sealed document.

 

[DevotedChild]

The only things that Popes are infallible about is when they talk about morals and theology, no more, no less. Everything else they say has the potential to be wrong.

God Bless and good questions.

 

[JM3]

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19930317en.html

 

[jimperu]

The Pope, is an Apostle, following the long line of Popes from St. Peter. Apostles, Saints, and Popes are men that serve God. Being men they are not infallible. Only Jesus Christ was because he was the second person in the Blessed Trinity, the true Son of God. Many of the greatest men and woman who ever lived, among those religious individuals, have sinned, they struggled as we all do. In those thoughts, words, and deeds that are directly guided by the hand of God, the Pope is infallible. Gods spirit dwells in the hearts and souls of those who do his will. " Let Your will, not mine, be done, according to your word".
We, as followers of Christ, obey the Pope, an earthly man, who obeys God and leads us.
The Pope(s) love of God is to so deep that he realizes he is directly guided by the Holy Spirit.
If any fallibility occurs it is because the Pope(s) did not listen or follow the word of God. This may rarely happen. However, God will never allow His Holy Church to be destroyed.
So rest assure, His will be done, until the end of time. Remember to always…“Give and Forgive”…jimperu

 

[chimo]

If I understand it, a Pope can find deeper truths for instance in an already declared doctrine to bring it in line with a newer discovery that will warrant it. The Popes of Rome can exercise this type of action if a situation will determine for instance let us say for example the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception will have new discoveries in the future towards a better understanding to its already defined truth. If someone can with their hypostasis declare something about the Immaculate Conception that makes sense and is agreeable to the Church than the Pope has this right to include it as doctrine.