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jackpuffin
Guest
I heard that Paul XI released a letter saying that the Council didn’t define any infallible doctrines, and was simpoly pastoral in nature. So does this mean it wasn’t infallible?
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Gerry_Hunter
Guest
The doctrine applies to the teaching authority and function of the Church when it is exercised. That is, when the teaching takes place, it is protected from being in error.
The spare tire on my car is still a tire, even if I never have a blowout, and have to put it on a wheel. Vatican II certainly had the capability to define doctrines. It just didn’t. Had it done so, it would have done so with the protection from error that infallibility provides.
It did, however, reiterate and expound on many infallible teachings which had been taught in the past.
Blessings,
Gerry
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
All Ecumenical Councils are infallible in their teaching when those teachings are approved by the Pope . Vatican II did not define any doctrine. But it did teach and re-iterate many already held by the Church. However there were two “Dogmatic Constitutions” from Vatican II.
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Reformed_Rob
Guest
I think that if you read the opening and closing remarks of the Council, you’ll see that it’s worded just like many other councils considered infallible.
Read the complete works of the council yourself, then you can better judge, there’s differing opinions. Pastoral doesn’t mean it wasn’t infallible.
And, it’s Paul the 6th, not Paul the 11th.
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Theodred
Guest
Umm… The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church… ??
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Gottle_of_Geer
Guest
Théodred:
So “pastoral” is not an antonym to “authoritative” or to “infallible”. If it were, Christ the Good Shepherd would be “unpastoral” in “teaching with authority” - which is absurd.
So if people want to prove that V2 is not of great authority, they will have to find a better argument than the admitted fact that it is a pastoral Council. Of course it is. ##
…contains much that was infallible already, but no fresh definitions.
Which does not make it any less authoritative. Pastoral - certainly - but “pastoral” does not mean “not having authority”. On the contrary, to exercise authority in feeding the flock of Christ is a truly pastoral and truly authoritative act.So “pastoral” is not an antonym to “authoritative” or to “infallible”. If it were, Christ the Good Shepherd would be “unpastoral” in “teaching with authority” - which is absurd.
So if people want to prove that V2 is not of great authority, they will have to find a better argument than the admitted fact that it is a pastoral Council. Of course it is. ##
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