The most recent infallible doctrine defined by the Catholic Church is the Assumption of Mary, which was declared by Pope Pius XII in 1950. This doctrine states that Mary was taken into heaven body and soul at the end of her earthly life.
Hi catechist,
the most recent infallible doctrine of the Catholic Church is the condemnation of abortion which has the same authority as all the Marian dogmas and the founding of the Catholic Church by Christ. the Gospel of life by Pope John Paul 2 in1995.
Last Sunday, we heard in the first reading (Acts 15) that the faithful could not agree on something and so they sent Representatives to the Apostles (who would later become Bishop of Rome) for clarity. Since neither of you agree on this matter, why not ask your Bishop to clarify this? Our Bishop has a radio show each month where he will answer questions that the faithful might have.
Bishops are very busy and if you right your Bishop a letter, it may take a while until you hear back. I’m sure it was the same for the faithful in Acts 15, though we read it and it sounds like they heard back instantly, they did not have the Apostles on speed-dial. They had to travel there. Then the Apostles and elders had to discuss and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit before writing a letter to the faithful clarifying what the authoritative teaching on the matter is.
We all agree that abortion is evil and never okay. We disagree on what the latest official infallible teaching is. To me, this fits the description of squabbling (something else that Scripture encourages us not to do).
Cade_One
You have denied an infallible doctrine of the Catholic Church. Here is the Vatican Profession of Faith that proves that the condemnation of abortion is infallible and is the latest infallible doctrine of the Catholic Church…
- The first paragraph states: “With firm faith, I also believe everything contained in the word of God, whether written or handed down in Tradition, which the Church, either by a solemn judgement or by the ordinary and universal Magisterium, sets forth to be believed as divinely revealed”. The object taught in this paragraph is constituted by all those doctrines of divine and catholic faith which the Church proposes as divinely and formally revealed and, as such, as irreformable.11
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 Eucharist24and 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 cred texts0the 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.
Here is the infallible statement from “The Gospel of Life” in 1995…
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. 73
or more… [PROFESSION OF FAITH] #(PROFESSION OF FAITH)
or the Profession of Faith #31 in 1995
squabbling?? Is historical accuracy squabbling? Is discerning the difference between the Ascension of Mary and abortion squabbling ? Is infallible Catholic Doctrine squabbling?
You did not know that the condemnation of abortion is an infallible doctrine of the catholic Church until I told you. You are an ungrateful and unfaair.
I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying here. The answers to all of these examples is No.
However, when we agree on the moral teaching being stated, but disagreeing on weather or not it is formally recognized as an “infallible teaching” or not, it is a form of squabbling.
I say it is an informal infallible teaching, meaning that it is a teaching that has been defined by the Church, but not formally in the same way as say these others that you have mentioned. We can go back and forth; you say it is and we say it is not formally an infallible teaching, while all agreeing that it is a true teaching that the evil act of abortion is immoral, but why argue about this?
If you feel so strongly about this, then, as I have said, reach out to your Bishop and either request that he clarifies the misunderstanding we are having here. And if he believes it is important enough, then he will either clarify it himself or take it to the Bishop of Rome (The Pope) and let him either clarify or formally declare it an “Infallible Teaching” (implying that maybe it had not been, making us right and you wrong. But, I’m not here to win an argument. I’m simply hear to keep individuals honest.
I do not think you are being dishonest; I think you are misrepresenting what myself and others are saying here (either out of confusion or out of pride). Or we are simply disagreeing on the definition that you are using to describe the teaching. Again, we all agree on the teaching itself.
Thank you for your reply and explanation. After researching it even more I realize that this issue is misunderstood by almost all Catholic Magisterium, Catholic commentators and laity so I can understand your doubts. I was surprised by the high degree of misunderstandings at EWTN and Catholic Answers. I will try to go step by step according to the actual Catholic teaching.
1.” 4. This new formula of the Professio fidei”. The Profession of faith has been updated at the Vatican website but some people are still using the old one which causes confusion.
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Infallible Doctrine can be made in 3 different ways…”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”… Professio fidei.
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All 3 ways are equal in authority because there is no higher category than infallible. Ex-Cathedra is not superior to the other two ways, that is a common misconception and causes confusion.
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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.
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Such doctrines can be defined solemnly by the Roman Pontiff when he speaks ‘ex cathedra’ or by the College of Bishops gathered in council, or they can be taught infallibly by the ordinary and universal Magisterium of the Church as a 'sententia definitive tenenda’.14 Every believer, therefore, is required to give firm and definitive assent to these truths, based on faith in the Holy Spirit’s assistance to the Church’s Magisterium, and on the Catholic doctrine of the infallibility of the Magisterium in these matters.15 Whoever denies these truths would be in a position of rejecting a truth of Catholic doctrine 16 and would therefore no longer be in full communion with the Catholic Church.
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at number 11… 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 Eucharist24and 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;30the 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.
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Here is the exact wording from the Pope that makes it infallible… 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. Paragraph 62
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Since abortion is murder, it is only proper that Pope John Paul 2 established the condemnation of abortion as it an infallible doctrine according to the Fifth Commandment Thou Shall Not Murder.
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The Pope knew exactly what he was doing so he purposely named it a “doctrine” in this Encyclical so there would be no misunderstanding that he meant it to be infallible.
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The condemnation of abortion is listed along with all the Marian dogmas and the founding of the Catholic Church by Christ so it must be infallible along with them.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.