Do all Catholics believe that the Pope is Infallible?

Question

yes, when speaking Ex Cathedra.

... or do some Catholics doubt this?

Answer 1

I dont know how anyone could think that he is infallible. He is human just like the rest of us. He is a "sinner" just like the rest of us. Without the grace of God and the blood of Christ, he is wretched, just like the rest of us.

Answer 2

If you would like more answers, consider asking around this site as well...

http://christianforums.com/forumdisplay....

Answer 3

I can't speak for everyone, but Christians believe in the Holy Spirit.

Catholics believe all leaders including the Pope are guided by the Holy Spirit.

One of the requirements of Christianity is submission to reasonable authority, and the need to work to change unreasonable authority.

Best regards.

Answer 4

Hello,

No , not all do. Some of the cardinals voted against this concept when it came up in 1870.

Also:

" Following the first Vatican Council, 1870, dissent, mostly among German, Austrian, and Swiss Catholics, arose over the definition of Papal Infallibility. The dissenters, holding the General Councils of the Church infallible, were unwilling to accept the dogma of Papal Infallibility, and thus a schism arose between them and the Church. Many of these Catholics formed independent communities in schism with Rome, which became known as the Old Catholic Churches.

A few present-day Catholics, including priests and bishops, refuse to accept papal infallibility as a matter of faith, such as the theologian Hans Küng, author of Infallible? An Inquiry, and historian Garry Wills, author of Papal Sin. A recent (1989–1992) survey of Catholics from multiple countries (the USA, Austria, Canada, Ecuador, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Peru, Spain and Switzerland), aged 15 to 25 who may not yet fully understand the theology of infallibility, showed that 36.9% accepted the teaching on papal infallibility, 36.9% denied it, and 26.2% said they didn't know of it. (Source: Report on surveys of the International Marian Research Institute, by Johann G. Roten, S.M.)"

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Answer 5

Catholics know that not everything the Pope says is infallible.  Only those statements made "ex cathedra" are the ones considered infallible.

I'm not even Catholic and I know that -- you are misunderstanding the concept of papal infallibility.

Answer 6

only when he/she is creating dogma

Answer 7

Nope.

Answer 8

As a person, no. As the pope, yes.

The doctrine of infallibility is actually a negative and not a positive doctrine. It states that the office of pope is protected from erring in matters of faith and morals. It does not state that the pope is an infallible person or has anything to do with the person. All persons who hold the office of pope, are protected from error in this manner.

Jesus Christ shows us through Peter that this is how it works. In Matthew, when Jesus asks his disciples "who do people say that I am?" they all give different answers as to what people have said. Then he says "and who do you say that I am?" The only one who answers is Peter who says "thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Notice Peter doesn't say "I believe thou art the..." but he makes a definitive statement of divine truth, not a statement of faith. Jesus then replies that God has "revealed this" to Peter.

Understanding this is understanding the office of pope. It has nothing to do with the person, and everything to do with God. Jesus shows us in this exchange with Peter, that God will reveal infallible truth through his servant and chosen leader of the Church. This was true from the start and remains true today, Christ keeps his promises.  

Answer 9

Not infallible always (a common misconception), but infallible when speaking Ex Cathedra (i.e. officially) on matters of faith.

In all other matters, the Pope is as fallible as any other man.

Answer 10

he is human; not god. of course he is not infallible. he has troubles and crosses just like everyone else, though he should have a good head on his shoulders if he is gonna be pope..

Answer 11

Actually that is a relatively new doctrine or dogma of the church.

They invented it in 1870.

I don't know what percent of Catholics believe it.

I do know that God does not!

Answer 12

"We hold upon this Earth the place of God Almighty."

Answer 13

Nope, just a normal human being, just like the rest of us.

Answer 14

absolutely not! i am  catholic; and i am realistic enough to know that the pope is HUMAN. he does his best to adhere to the principles of god's teachings; but, he is still human!

Answer 15

It is a Papal declaration, among various others, that Popes are infallible, and even that their dictums supercede and overrule scripture.  Whether or not their numerous and spiritually deprived flock believe these lies is dependent on them individually.  One need only look at their history to know if this is true. But there are probably some zealots among them who won't be confused by facts.

Answer 16

The actual doctrine is that the pope is infallible when he is sitting in the throne of St. Peter.  Now--none of the documents and various dogmas that the church puts out are signed by the pope when he is sitting on the throne.  It's sort of something the church never puts to the test.

Answer 17

I've never once thought the Pope to be infallible... He is after all human.

I'm Catholic and there are many aspects of my faith that I will not agree with. The Pope being infallible is one of them.

Answer 18

No, the Pope is only a man, voted into position.  

Answer 19

Are you taking a gallup poll?  I am Catholic and believe the Pope is infallible when speaking Ex-Cathedra. I cannot speak for all Catholics however.

Answer 20

Do you know how Pope John became a pope ?   They took a Poll !

Answer 21

No

Answer 22

True Catholics, yes, we understand that when the Pope is speaking Ex Cathedra, that he is speaking as the voice of Jesus and that what he says is infallible regarding faith and morals.

There are many nominal Catholics who will say they don't care what the Pope says, they're not following it.

I think most people who agree in saying these are usually not true Catholics and should not be counted in the "all Catholics" part of this question. Nominally does not mean spiritually.

What Ex Cathedra means is literally "From the Chair", this means that the office of Pope is infallible, not the person. We believe that it is the office which the Pope holds that is given the graces of infallibility in faith and morals.

http://scripturecatholic.com/the_church....

http://scripturecatholic.com/the_church....

Answer 23

I am sure we could find a couple of the over one billion Catholics in the world that do not believe that the Pope is infallible but I doubt if that would be a mortal sin.

It can become a bit dangerous when people start to pick and choose what doctrine they will follow and which they will not.

Cafeteria style dining means to pick and choose what food to take from a cafeteria line.

The term "Cafeteria Christians" refers to people who view Christianity like a cafeteria where one picks and chooses only those beliefs that appeal to them and reject a genuine interpretation of Christian doctrine and the teachings of Jesus.

The term "Cafeteria Catholics" is similar. It is used to describe people who dissent from certain teachings of the Catholic Church while maintaining an outward identity as Catholics.

In Los Angeles in 1987, Pope John Paul II said: "It has to be noted that there is a tendency on the part of some Catholics to be selective in their adherence to the Church's moral teaching. It is sometimes claimed that dissent from the magisterium is totally compatible with being a "good Catholic," and poses no obstacle to the reception of the Sacraments. This is a grave error that challenges the teaching of the Bishops in the United States and elsewhere."

Heresy is the obstinate denial after Baptism of a truth which must be believed with divine and Catholic faith.

"Cafeteria Catholics" in denial of certain truths are in danger of committing heresy.

With love in Christ.

Answer 24

the  church claim  he is  but I doubt many christians  believe it  or at least I hope  not.