Understanding Ex Cathedra

[Coder]

The Vatican published this approximately a year before Ordinatio Sacerdotalis:

The title of the document is “The Successor of Peter Teaches Infallibly”:
“The*** reason for ex cathedra definitions*** is almost always to give this certification to the truths that are to be believed as belonging to the “deposit of faith” and to exclude all doubt…”
vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19930317en.html

Is it a coincidence that it was published before Ordinatio Sacerdotalis?


Is it a coincidence that the Pope said he was removing all doubt in Ordinatio Sacerdotalis?

 

[mosher]

I find it even more curious that after the statement was made there was a Dubium that affirmed the statement as being an infalible statement and then after that commentary was made that suggest that it was not an excercise of the Extraodinary Magisterium but rather only an affirmation of the Ordinary Magisterium. But more curious is that all these statements were approved by John Paul II. This lack of continuity is what I don’t quite understand.

 

[Coder]

Yes, we are in agreement that it is perplexing. I have faith in The Church, so I am quite sure the reasoning will be understood. Perhaps this situation is a sign that further teaching on this doctrine is to come.

 

[Coder]

This article is perhaps the best explanation I have seen:
isosinfallible.blogspot.com/

It shows that the teaching was not an infallible definition but rather an authoritative upholding of an infallible (according to ordinary Magisterium) truth. Truly facsinating!