You are right that there are three sources of infallible doctrine, according to the Catholic Catechism: the pope speaking from the chair of Peter; the pope speaking in unity with the bishops, especially in an ecumenical council; and “the deposit of divine Revelation,” extending to" all those elements of doctrine, including morals, without which the saving truths of the faith cannot be preserved, explained, or observed." So the teaching that abortion is wrong is infallible based on the deposit of divine revelation (in this case going back to the Ten Commandments) and the fact that “Thou shalt not kill” cannot be fully observed without forbidding abortion. The condemnation of abortion is not new, nor is it newly infallible, and its source is not Evangelium Vitae, which is not infallible. That encyclical was not issued by the pope in communion with the bishops; it was written from the pope to the church and to people of good will. Note 31 in the document you cited does not name Evanglelium Vitae as the source of the teaching on abortion. Cf is an abbreviation of the Latin confer, which means “compare.” It is telling readers that Evanglelium Vitae says the same thing. So the teaching against abortion is much older than 1995; it is infallible as an integral expression of the commandment not to kill. Evanglelium Vitae is not infallible, but it is an excellent papal teaching that deserves the attention of the church and of people of good will.
Hi Lliteralman,
Thanks for the message.
Yes, Thou Shall Not Murder has been around a long time but was never named as an infallible dogme of the Catholic Church until Evangeliun Vitae. In other words the prohibition of abortion was a matter of Sacred Revelation and Sacred Tradition but not Church dogma. EV elevated that Sacred Tradition to an infallible dogma. EV contains two paragraphs that define… #57 defines the evil of murder and #62 defines the evil of abortion.
you said…Note 31 in the document you cited does not name Evanglelium Vitae as the source of the teaching on abortion.
This is incorrect by paragraph 62 which states: Given such unanimity in the doctrinal and disciplinary tradition of the Church, Paul VI was able to declare that this tradition is unchanged and unchangeable. 72 Therefore, by the authority which Christ conferred upon Peter and his Successors, in communion with the Bishops-who on various occasions have condemned abortion and who in the aforementioned consultation, albeit dispersed throughout the world, have shown unanimous agreement concerning this doctrine-I declare that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being. This doctrine is based upon the natural law and upon the written Word of God, is transmitted by the Church’s Tradition and taught by the ordinary and universal Magisterium.
YOU SAID…"Evanglelium Vitae is not infallible, but it is an excellent papal teaching that deserves the attention of the church and of people of good will."
Of course it is infallible. It is listed along and with 20 or so oher infallible dogmas and it is named a dogma and #62 says it is infallible.
Please don’t doubt that.
Thanks
Chris
The Assumption of Mary
Peace to all,
Peace always,
Stephen
The most recent infallible Catholic dogma is the condemnation of abortion by Evangelium Vitae in 1995. Any question just ask, thank.
This is the latest infallible Catholic doctrine done by Evangelium Vitae in 1995.
The latest infallible doctrine of the Catholic Church is the condemnation of abortion by Evangelium Vitae in 1995.
Peace to all,
Peace always,
Stephen
Sorry if I missed your reply, I got mixed up and I apologize.
The Assumption of Mary is not the latest infallible Catholic doctrine. It was declared in 1950.
The most recent is the condemnation of abortion by Evangelium Vitae in 1995. I have posted the Vatican declaration on this site already but if you would like to see it I will gladly send it to you.
Thanks and God Bless.
Thank You!
I would very much like to see the information,
Thanks, and have a blessed Easter
Patrock Miron
TO
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CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
Doctrinal Commentary
on the Concluding Formula of the Professio fidei
1. These doctrines are contained in the word of God, written or handed down, and defined with a solemn judgement as divinely revealed truths either by the Roman Pontiff when he speaks ‘ex cathedra,’ or by the College of Bishops gathered in council, or infallibly proposed for belief by the ordinary and universal Magisterium.
These doctrines require the assent of theological faith by all members of the faithful. Thus, whoever obstinately places them in doubt or denies them falls under the censure of heresy, as indicated by the respective canons of the Codes of Canon Law.12
1. Examples. Without any intention of completeness or exhaustiveness, some examples of doctrines relative to the three paragraphs described above can be recalled.
To the truths of the first paragraph belong the articles of faith of the Creed, the various christological dogmas21 and marian dogmas;22the doctrine of the institution of the sacraments by Christ and their efficacy with regard to grace;23the doctrine of the real and substantial presence of Christ in the Eucharist24 and the sacrificial nature of the eucharistic celebration;25the foundation of the Church by the will of Christ;26the doctrine on the primacy and infallibility of the Roman Pontiff;27 the doctrine on the existence of original sin;28the doctrine on the immortality of the spiritual soul and on the immediate recompense after death;29the absence of error in the inspired sacred texts;30 the doctrine on the grave immorality of direct and voluntary killing of an innocent human being.31
31 Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae, 57: AAS 87 (1995), 465…
### PROFESSION OF FAITHAs you can see on the Vatican website above, Evangelium Vitae (the Gospel of Life) is listed equally with many other infallible dogmas, such as all the Marian dogmas and the founding of the church by Christ. The condemnation of abortion is specifically declared in paragraph 62 in Evangelium Vitae. There is a popular myth that ex-cathedra are the only infallible statements which is a terrible error for Catholics to make.
Please let me know if you have any questions about Evangelium Vitae or about abortion. |
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Thank you for your interest, please write again as this is my passionate subject and Happy Easter.
Chris, I certainly agree with what you shared. BUT where is the evidence you seem to believe exit for a more recent INFALLIBLE Papal pronouncement? THAT, my friend, for ME, is the question of the hour.
To Jesus THROUGH Mary,
Patrick Miron
To Patrick,
Thanks for the reply but I am unclear about your comment. Evangelium Vitae is the latest infallible doctrine of the Catholic Church as shown in the Vatican Profession of Faith that I sent to you. Other than that I do not follow what you are asking or implying. There is no more recent infallible doctrine and I have never said there is one. Evangelism Vitae paragraphs 57 and 62 have been declared infallible and recognized as such. Am I missing something in your question?
Chris, as a FYI, there are precise conditions for any teaching to be “Infallible”, as indicated here:
1st lets define the term to make sure we have a common understanding of it
“INFALLIBILITY. Freedom from error in teaching the universal Church in matters of faith or morals. As defined by the First Vatican Council, “The Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra – that is, when in discharge of the office of pastor and teacher of all Christians, by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals to be held by the universal Church, by the divine assistance promised to him in Blessed Peter, is possessed of that infallibility with which the divine Redeemer willed that his Church should be endowed in defining doctrine regarding faith or morals; and therefore such definitions are irreformable of themselves, and not in virtue of consent of the Church” (Denzinger 3074).
The bearer of the infallibility is every lawful Pope as successor of Peter, the Prince of the
Apostles. But the Pope alone is infallible, not others to whom he delegates a part of his teaching authority, for example, the Roman congregations.
The object of his infallibility is his teaching of faith and morals. This means especially revealed doctrine like the Incarnation. But it also includes any nonrevealed teaching that is in any way connected with revelation.
The condition of the infallibility is that the Pope speaks ex cathedra. For this is required that: 1. he have the intention of declaring something unchangeably true; and 2. he speak as shepherd and teacher of all the faithful with the full weight of his apostolic authority, and not merely as a private theologian or even merely for the people of Rome or some particular segment of the Church of God.
The source of the infallibility is the supernatural assistance of the Holy Spirit, who protects the supreme teacher of the Church from error and therefore from misleading the people of God.
As a result, the ex cathedra pronouncements of the Pope are unchangeable “of themselves,” that is, not because others in the Church either first instructed the Pope or agree to what he says. (Etym. Latin in-, not + fallibilis; from fallere, to deceive: infallibilis, not able to deceive, or err.)”
FROM FR. HARDON’S CATHOLIC DICTIONARY
If, my friend your understanding of Papal Infallibility was different than this, you need to reread carefully ALL the conditions Infallibility requires.
2nd It is of critical importance to know that Church authority to “Bind and to Loose” in Mt 16:19 refers to the Authority to Teach and Mandate acceptance of those teachings on FAITH & Morals that Do bind all. UT only on Faith & Morals!
To Jesus THROUGH Mary
Patrick Miron
Hi Patrick,
I still don’t understand what your point is. I am familiar with e-cathedra, infallibility, Denzinger, Father Hardon etc.
See paragraph 62 of Evangelium Vitae that declares the condemnation of abortion. It has been declared infallible by the Catholic Church and it is not ex-cathedra but of Divine and Catholic Faith which is equal in authority to ex-cathedra.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks
Chris
Patrick,
You are mistaken to write " The condition of the infallibility is that the Pope speaks ex cathedra".
There are 3 different ways that infallibility can be declared and ex-cathedra is only one of them and they are all equal.
CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
Doctrinal Commentary
on the Concluding Formula of the Professio fidei
- These doctrines are contained in the word of God, written or handed down, and defined with a solemn judgement as divinely revealed truths either by the Roman Pontiff when he speaks ‘ex cathedra,’ or by the College of Bishops gathered in council, or infallibly proposed for belief by the ordinary and universal Magisterium.
Chris, I don’t equate mandated/required/ technically to equate to “Infallibility”
God Bless you
Well you are as wrong as you can be. If you applied the rules of the Catholic Church you would not be so wrong but now you will continue to be wrong for a long time.
I’m NOT saying, or even implying that they don’t HAVE TO BE ACCEPTED, only that they are not by definition, “Infallible”
Easter Blessings my friend Chris!.
You and Canadian priest (an uninformed priest for God’s sake) did not know that Evangelium Vitae in1995 is an infallible doctrine of the Catholic Church that is the condemnation of abortion and is equal in authority to all the Marian dogmas and the founding of the Catholic Church by Christ.
Maybe a “thank you” to me would be in order.