1. The pope possesses this gift not to “make 2. Papal infallibility is constrained to only a
known some new doctrine, but that, by [the certain area: “The Roman Pontiff, head of
Holy Spirit’s] assistance, [the successors of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility
Peter] might religiously guard and faithfully in virtue of his office when . . . he proclaims
expound the revelation or deposit of faith in an absolute decision a doctrine pertaintransmitted by the
ing to faith and mor7
apostles.”3
“The pope is not infallible als.” The pope is not
The charism is
infallible if he speaks
if he speaks about
given to the pope in
about chemistry or
his teaching office so
calculus. It is only in
chemistry or calculus.”
that the authentic
the arena where our
faith that was taught by Jesus can be passed salvation is played out—faith and morals.
on faithfully. In the Church, we profess the This is, again, to preserve untarnished the
same faith Peter and the apostles received knowledge of salvation (cf. 1 Tm 2:4).
from Jesus and the same faith for which
the martyrs in myriad times and places jus- 3. His exercise of this charism must be clear:
tifiably laid down their lives.
“By virtue of his office, the Supreme Pontiff
possesses infallibility in teaching when . . .
2. The transmission of the faith has eter- he proclaims by definitive act that a docnal consequences. Therefore, the accurate trine of faith and morals must be upheld.”8
and complete knowledge of its content is
Who Possesses Infallibility?
vitally important.
The charism of infallibility is given to
The pope is not infallible for his own
sake but rather “for the continual sal- the Holy Father as we’ve seen above, but
vation and permanent benefit of the he is not the only possessor of this charism.
Church.”4 Hearing the Gospel elicits in “The infallibility promised to the Church
us the response: What must I do to be saved? is also present in the body of bishops
(cf. Acts 16:30). Knowing that our faith when, together with Peter’s successor, they
has been transmitted to us free from error exercise the supreme teaching office.”9
allows us with sure confidence to respond
On analogy with the pope’s extraordito the evangelical call with all our heart, nary exercise of the charism of infallibilsoul, mind, and strength (cf. Mk 12:30). ity in his teaching ex cathedra is the case
We do not have to second-guess ourselves of the bishops, in union with the pope,
about something so important.
speaking infallibly when they teach on
faith and morals in a solemn way in an
3. “The Bishop of Rome must ensure the ecumenical council. Most of the solemnly
communion of all the Churches. He is the defined truths of our faith have been exfirst servant of unity.”5 The pope’s charism pressed through this exercise of the infalof infallibility gives all local Churches con- lible universal magisterium.
fidence that they remain in the One, Holy,
While these are unusual events—ecuCatholic, and Apostolic faith. Peter’s pri- menical councils and infallible papal
macy and infallibility provide a stable proclamations—the Church exercises
foundation for Christ’s Church.6
her charism of infallibility through the
“ordinary magisterium” as well. This
occurs when the bishops throughout
What Are the Conditions of
the world and in union with the Holy
Infallibility?
This infallibility is not tied to every Father authoritatively present a teachstatement our Holy Father makes. There ing as part of God’s revelation. The
are certain conditions outlined for us to consistent and clear teachings, for exknow when he is exercising this charism ample, on the perpetual virginity of
the Blessed Virgin Mary have never
in its fullest way:
been definitively pronounced by an
1. The pope exercises the charism of infal- ecumenical council. Nevertheless, it is
libility when he speaks ex cathedra (“from infallibly taught through the Church’s
the chair”), that is, in his official capacity. ordinary magisterium.
A Charism of Confidence
Because the revelation of Jesus Christ
is so precious—nothing less than the offer of eternal salvation—God knew that
it must be protected from man’s weakness. This protection takes the shape of
the gift of infallibility. Were the Church
not able to identify definitively what is
part of divine revelation about faith and
morals, our confidence in Christ’s gift
to us would be shaken. As Blessed John
Henry Newman observed, “A revelation
is not given, if there be no authority to
decide what it is that is given.”10 The
Church possesses this great charism for
the building up of God’s people so that
together we can proclaim our crucified
and risen Lord.
The infallibility of the Church and her
magisterium gives all of us the confidence
to share the Gospel without puzzling
about what to say and the confidence to
invite others to respond.
Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron is Archbishop
of Detroit. In November, he was voted to a
three-year term as chairman of the Committee
on Doctrine of the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops.
NOTES
cf. Second Vatican Council: Dogmatic
Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei
Verbum) (1965), 11.
2
First Vatican Council: Dogmatic
Constitution on the Catholic Faith (Dei
Filius) (1870), 4.
3
Dei Filius, 4.
4
Dei Filius, 2.
5
John Paul II, UЁU