Papal Infallibility

Written by Harold McNeill on September 24th, 2013. Posted in Tim Hortons Morning Posts


pope-benedict11

Papal Infallibility: A Cornerstone of the Catholic Church

As a one time practicing Catholic (1), I have always been troubled by the ever changing positions taken by the Church. A large part of this stems from the churches concept of Papal Infallibility (2). It struck me that this concept tended to place the God (the Catholic God at least) in a very negative light as He was constantly changing his (or her) mind on key subjects held near and dear to church teachings.

Over the past 50 years, I have heard pronouncements from various Popes that, to be charitable, are all over the map on a number of “hot button” issues. Most recently, Pope Francis has taken a much more inclusive stance toward gays and lesbians, same-sex marriages, transgender individuals, abortion, contraception (the list goes on), than any of his predecssors.  Even the concept that only Catholics could achieve a place in heaven seems to have gone by the wayside when the Pontiff opened his arms to Atheists and members of other faiths.  In one comment attributed to him, Pope Francis states:  “Who am I to judge.”  Well, if the history of the Catholic Church and the core texts that define their faith tell us anything, it is that a core value of church is one of passing judgment.

The obvious question that comes to my mind:  If the Pope (and all Popes across history for that matter), when speaking for the Church, speak directly for God, why is it that God is continually changing His mind on core subjects?  Some suggest the Pope is only ‘infallible’ when he “speaks from the throne”. Interviews and other statements they say, do not count as infallibility.  Oh, I’m glad that has been clarified!

Perhaps these apologists should just go back and review statements made by other Popes as they “sat on the throne”, to see whether they have been changing their position on any number of subjects over the history of the church. At one time the church held the earth to be the centre of the Universe and anyone who disagreed was put to death.

Harold

(1) Baptism: In 1964, after several months of study, I was baptized in the Catholic Church Cathedral on Blanshard Street in downtown VictoriaHarold and Father Hill. A as new arrival to the church at age 23, I likely studied more church doctrine than many who were born into the faith. Along with the Bible (of course), the main text was a book “My Catholic Faith” copies of which are still available on-line. A few years back I picked up a copy that dated back to 1960’s and it seems many of the teachings of that day have been greatly modified.

Photo (Victoria, B.C.):  Harold and Father Hill, Harold’s catechism teacher (he was newly ordained and in his mid-thirties at the time), get together for lunch in downtown Victoria after an interlude of almost 50 years.  We could still sit for hours and talk about life, death, philosophy and while Father Hill is a priest, first, last and always, he is also man who is acutely aware of the short comings of the church.

As it turned out, my love affair with the church lasted a fair bit longer than my love affair with that young woman, a French Canadian, Catholic girl I had hoped to marry and whose faith demanded (if we wanted to marry), that I become a Catholic.

After much study of the Catholic Church doctrine, then of other religions of the world (mainly theistic), I moved from direct Catholicism to Anglicanism (indirect Catholics), then Protestantism and even had a brief flirtation with the Baptists. It turned out that many Baptists held an even harsher view ‘deviant’ life styles than did the catholics.

While the reasons for dropping way from religion were many, it was the harsh and judgmental stance taken toward other belief systems (e.g. Muslims, Jews and other denominations) as well as toward individuals whose life styles where considered sinful, that caused the caused the most conflict in my personal beliefs.  The course of these judgements could be traced back over hundreds of years to the very origins of the church and, even the current Pope’s recent statements not-with-standing, many Christians have become even more hardline the past few decades.

The beginning of the end of my church going days began in the 1990’s, following the ‘born-again revolution of the 70s and 80s) and spurred on by reading (for a second time) a rather lengthy book by Bertrand Russell, “The History of Western Philosophy” (Unwin Press, 2nd Edition, 1961). This was followed by the reading of dozens of other books that traced the history of religion and science. All in all, I think it was a good move on my part, as I am now much more comfortable with my own being and my place in the scheme of things. Part of this comes, I suppose, from being less fearful about what the future might hold in life and in death.  Some might suggest I am a recovering Catholic.

Harold

(2) Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church which states that, in virtue of the promise of Jesus to Peter, the Pope is preserved from the possibility of error[1] “when, in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church”.[2]

This doctrine was defined dogmatically in the First Vatican Council of 1869–1870, but had been defended before that, appearing alreadyGod Seeks in medieval tradition and becoming the majority opinion at the time of the Counter-Reformation.[3]

According to Catholic theology, there are several concepts important to the understanding of infallible, divine revelation: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Sacred Magisterium. The infallible teachings of the Pope are part of the Sacred Magisterium, which also consists of ecumenical councils and the “ordinary and universal magisterium”. In Catholic theology, papal infallibility is one of the channels of the infallibility of the Church. The infallible teachings of the Pope must be based on, or at least not contradict, Sacred Tradition or Sacred Scripture.

The doctrine of infallibility relies on one of the cornerstones of Catholic dogma: that of petrine supremacy of the pope, and his authority to be the ruling agent in deciding what will be accepted as formal beliefs in the Roman Catholic Church.[4] The clearest example (though not the only one)[5] of the use of this power, referred to as speaking ex cathedra[6] expressed since the solemn declaration of papal infallibility by Vatican I on July 18, 1870, took place in 1950 when Pope Pius XII defined the Assumption of Mary as being an article of faith for Roman Catholics.[7] This authority is considered by Catholics to be apostolic and of divine origin. (Wikipedia)

(3105)

(Visited 893 times, 1 visits today)

Trackback from your site.

Leave a comment

 

Comments

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

  • Howie Siegel

    November 25, 2021 |

    My only fight at Pagliacci’s was a late Sunday night in 1980 (?) He ripped the towel machine off the bathroom wall which brought me running. He came after me, I grabbed a chair and cracked him on the head which split his skull and dropped him. I worried about the police finding him on the floor. I had just arrived from Lasqueti Island and wasn’t convinced the police were my friends. I dragged him out to Broad and Fort and left him on the sidewalk, called the cops. They picked him up and he never saw freedom again (as far as I know). I found out it was Ross Elworthy.