INFALLIBILITY 1.Correctly identify the two sources of revelation 2.Distinguish ordinary from extraordinary infallibility 3.Define impeccability 4.Be able to list the conditions for papal infallibility

Revelation Two sources –Sacred Scripture The Bible –Collection of books –Canon established in 397 a.d. –Sacred Tradition Verbal instructions handed on by the Apostles to the 1 st bishops Through the ages to us St. Paul speaks of “Oral Traditions”

Infallibility Not Revelation –This is where God works through a human instrument to further define a previously reveal some truth Not impeccability –This is preservation from sin –Only the Blessed Virgin Mary enjoyed this charisma God standing outside the person –Protecting from error

Ordinary magisterium Day to day teaching of the Church –Those teachings the Universal Church has held to be true –Universal means consensus it is not mathematical

Extraordinary magisterium When some teaching or belief is called into question, ignored, or threatened The Church endeavors to solemnly define a point

Ecumenical Council All of the bishops of the world Charged to meet on this point Issues decrees Once ratified by the pope they are infallible and binding on all Catholics 21 in the history of the Church –The 1 st in 50 Jerusalem –The last in 1965 at the Vatican

Papal Decree The pope has the power to act by himself This is by virtue of the authority granted him by Jesus (Mt. 16:18) –when speaking “ex cathedra” In his official capacity as chief shepherd –Matter of faith or morals –Solemnly defines some matter as binding on the entire Church –Only exercised twice in 2000 years

Mt. 16:18 –When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 –They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 –He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 –Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 –Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 –And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19 –I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Protestant Response 1. Jesus is referring to Peter’s confession of faith not to Simon himself You judge! –And so I say to you, you are Rock, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. –I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Is Jesus referring to Peter’s confession or to the man Simon now known as Peter?

Argument 2 The Greek translation of the Bible uses the word Petros =small stone. Rock would have been Petra How could Jesus say he was building the Church on a small stone or pebble? Jesus was not speaking in Greek. In Aramaic the word was Cephas = rock! Petros is masculine Petra is feminine So the translators took the word that agreed in gender while not perfect in description of Peter!

Peter’s Primacy Peter is always mentioned 1 st Peter gives the speech at Pentecost Peter is mentioned 191 times. All others combined = 130 Peter is the 1 st after Jesus to raise someone from the dead Jesus preaches from Peter’s boat Peter receives the revelation to admit gentiles Peter settles the question at the Council of Jerusalem

Quiz 1. Where does Paul speak of the pillar and foundation of truth? 2. How many attributes does the Church of Christ possess? 3. Catholics believe the church is an invisible society. 4. In the Church of Christ all will be saints 5. This is where Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. 6. Teaching passed on from the Apostles to the 1 st bishops