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'''Papal Infallibility''' is the [[Roman Catholic]] dogma that the [[Pope]] is unable to err when he teaches on a certain question of faith or morals. [[File:Infall1.jpg|thumb|275px]]

'''Papal Infallibility''' is a rarely invoked [[Roman Catholic]] doctrine that a [[Pope]], after consideration, discussion and prayer, may make a pronouncement on faith or morals that is free from error. [[File:Infall1.jpg|thumb|275px]]

 

== Background ==

== Background ==

Papal infallibility was established during the [[First Vatican Council]] in 1871. At the time, [[Italy]] was being formed and the [[Catholic Church]] was losing its political status in the world. The Church wanted to clarify its authority with regard to these events.  It was the favored idea of [[Pope Pius IX]],  (reigned 1846-78), supported by around 50 devoted bishops and the Jesuits.  Most of the opposition came from the 88 French bishops in attendance. The majority (45) supported the Pope but a minority of 25 held to both a [[Gallican]], and in some cases a 'modernist,' line. Eventually the minority fell in line and the [[ultramontane]] position of the Pope was completely dominant inside the Catholic Church.<ref> Margaret O'Gara, ''Triumph in Defeat: Infallibility, Vatican I, and the French Minority Bishops'' (1988) </ref>

Papal infallibility was established during the [[First Vatican Council]] in 1871. At the time, [[Italy]] was being formed and the [[Catholic Church]] was losing its political status in the world. The Church wanted to clarify its authority with regard to these events.  It was the favored idea of [[Pope Pius IX]],  (reigned 1846–78), supported by around 50 devoted bishops and the Jesuits.  Most of the opposition came from the 88 French bishops in attendance. The majority (45) supported the Pope but a minority of 25 held to both a [[Gallican]], and in some cases a 'modernist,' line. Eventually the minority fell in line and the [[ultramontane]] position of the Pope was completely dominant inside the Catholic Church.<ref>Margaret O'Gara, ''Triumph in Defeat: Infallibility, Vatican I, and the French Minority Bishops'' (1988)</ref>

== Conditions for Infallibility ==

== Conditions for Infallibility ==

==Roman Catholic Opposition==

==Roman Catholic Opposition==

Johann Döllinger (1799-1890) was a leading German Catholic theologian and professor at the University of Munich. He rejected the doctrine of papal infallibility, warning it would  permanently alienate the Catholic Church from 'all thinking men'.  He was excommunicated by Rome and but refused to become the bishop of the breakaway "Old Catholic Church."

Johann Döllinger (1799-1890) was a leading German Catholic theologian and professor at the University of Munich. He rejected the doctrine of papal infallibility, warning it would  permanently alienate the Catholic Church from 'all thinking men'.  He was excommunicated by Rome but refused to become the bishop of the breakaway "Old Catholic Church."

Additional voices of past opposition are compiled in such works such as ''Roman Catholic opposition to papal infallibility''<ref>[http://www.archive.org/stream/oppositioninfall00sparuoft/oppositioninfall00sparuoft_djvu.txt  W. J. Sparrow Simpson, ''Roman Catholic opposition to papal infallibility'', 1909]</ref>  

Additional voices of past opposition are compiled in such works such as ''Roman Catholic opposition to papal infallibility''<ref>[http://www.archive.org/stream/oppositioninfall00sparuoft/oppositioninfall00sparuoft_djvu.txt  W. J. Sparrow Simpson, ''Roman Catholic opposition to papal infallibility'', 1909]</ref>  

In 1970 Roman Catholic [[liberal]] [[theologian]] Hans Kung (March 19, 1928) wrote ''Infallible? An inquiry'', which argued that historically papal infallibility was not always universally accepted in the Roman church, with the position that bishops were direct successors to the Apostles also being seen as contrary to history. In December 18, 1979, the controversial theologian was stripped of his ''missio canonica'',  the authority by virtue of which he instructs future priests in fundamental theology, it being decided that “Professor Küng may no longer teach theology and may no longer be considered to be a Catholic theologian."<ref>The Universe, ''The Pope Silences Dr. Küng'', December 21, 1979</ref>

In 1970 Roman Catholic [[liberal]] [[theologian]] Hans Küng (March 19, 1928) wrote ''Infallible? An inquiry'', which argued that historically papal infallibility was not always universally accepted in the Roman church, with the position that bishops were direct successors to the Apostles also being seen as contrary to history. In December 18, 1979, the controversial theologian was stripped of his ''missio canonica'',  the authority by virtue of which he instructs future priests in fundamental theology, it being decided that “Professor Küng may no longer teach theology and may no longer be considered to be a Catholic theologian."<ref>The Universe, ''The Pope Silences Dr. Küng'', December 21, 1979</ref>

==Protestant protests==

==Protestant protests==

British Prime Minister [[William E. Gladstone]] denounced the dogma of papal infallibility as a threat to the civil allegiance of Roman Catholics. His 'Expostulation' sparked a brief but intense controversy, notable for the personalities involved, such as Cardinals Newman and Manning and Lord Acton. While Catholics replied to Gladstone, he received almost no Protestant support. The controversy provided the last occasion for anti-Catholic agitation in England and marked the demise of anti-Catholicism as an overt political issue.<ref> Josef L. Altholz, "The Vatican Decrees Controversy, 1874-1875," ''Catholic Historical Review'' 1972 57(4): 593-605 </ref>  

British Prime Minister [[William E. Gladstone]] denounced the dogma of papal infallibility as a threat to the civil allegiance of Roman Catholics. His 'Expostulation' sparked a brief but intense controversy, notable for the personalities involved, such as Cardinals Newman and Manning and Lord Acton. While Catholics replied to Gladstone, he received almost no Protestant support. The controversy provided the last occasion for anti-Catholic agitation in England and marked the demise of anti-Catholicism as an overt political issue.<ref>Josef L. Altholz, "The Vatican Decrees Controversy, 1874-1875," ''Catholic Historical Review'' 1972 57(4): 593-605</ref>  

The doctrine of papal infallibility has often been a principal subject of American Protestants opposing the Catholic Church. Various arguments are articulated, with proof texts for papal infallibility being contended against.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=CEMtAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false John Harvey Treat, Johann Augustus Bolles, G. H. Houghton Butler, ''The Catholic faith, or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome contrary to scripture and the primitive church'', pp. 480ff]</ref><ref>[http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0185a.html What Think Ye of Rome? Part Four: The Catholic-Protestant Debate on Papal Infallibility], Christian Research Journal, Fall 1994, page 24</ref> <ref>[http://vintage.aomin.org/Palm%20response.html White, ''A Response to David Palm's Article on Oral Tradition from This Rock Magazine, May, 1995'']</ref><ref>[http://vintage.aomin.org/Porvaz.htmlWhite, ''A Response to an Argument for Infallibility'']</ref><ref>[http://vintage.aomin.org/credenda.html White, ''Of Athanasius and Infallibility'']</ref><ref>[http://vintage.aomin.org/Presbyters.html White, ''Exegetica: Roman Catholic Apologists Practice Eisegesis in Scripture and Patristics'']</ref><ref>E.J.V. Huiginn, ''From Rome to Protestantism", The Forum, Volume 5, p. 111</ref><ref>Peter De Rosa, ''Vicars of Christ: the Dark Side of the Papacy''</ref><ref>Harold O. J. Brown, ''Protest of a Troubled Protestant'', New Rochelle, NY: Arlington House, 1969; p. 122</ref> <ref>Williston Walker, ''A History of the Christian Church'', 3d ed. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1970; p. 67</ref><ref>E.J.V. Huiginn, ''From Rome to Protestantism", The Forum, Volume 5, pp. 109-110</ref>

The doctrine of papal infallibility has often been a principal subject of American Protestants opposing the Catholic Church. Various arguments are articulated, with proof texts for papal infallibility being contended against.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=CEMtAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false John Harvey Treat, Johann Augustus Bolles, G. H. Houghton Butler, ''The Catholic faith, or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome contrary to scripture and the primitive church'', pp. 480ff]</ref><ref>[http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0185a.html What Think Ye of Rome? Part Four: The Catholic-Protestant Debate on Papal Infallibility], Christian Research Journal, Fall 1994, page 24</ref><ref>[http://vintage.aomin.org/Palm%20response.html White, ''A Response to David Palm's Article on Oral Tradition from This Rock Magazine, May, 1995'']</ref><ref>[http://vintage.aomin.org/Porvaz.htmlWhite, ''A Response to an Argument for Infallibility'']</ref><ref>[http://vintage.aomin.org/credenda.html White, ''Of Athanasius and Infallibility'']</ref><ref>[http://vintage.aomin.org/Presbyters.html White, ''Exegetica: Roman Catholic Apologists Practice Eisegesis in Scripture and Patristics'']</ref><ref>E.J.V. Huiginn, ''From Rome to Protestantism", The Forum, Volume 5, p. 111</ref><ref>Peter De Rosa, ''Vicars of Christ: the Dark Side of the Papacy''</ref><ref>Harold O. J. Brown, ''Protest of a Troubled Protestant'', New Rochelle, NY: Arlington House, 1969; p. 122</ref><ref>Williston Walker, ''A History of the Christian Church'', 3d ed. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1970; p. 67</ref><ref>E.J.V. Huiginn, ''From Rome to Protestantism", The Forum, Volume 5, pp. 109-110</ref>

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

* Dulles, Avery Cardinal. ''Magisterium: Teacher and Guardian of the Faith'' (2007), by leading Catholic theologian

* Dulles, Avery Cardinal. ''[[Magisterium]]: Teacher and Guardian of the Faith'' (2007), by leading Catholic theologian

* Hasler, August Bernard. ''How the Pope Became Infallible: Pius IX and the Politics of Persuasion'' (1980), popular history.   

* Hasler, August Bernard. ''How the Pope Became Infallible: Pius IX and the Politics of Persuasion'' (1980), popular history.   

* Hales, E. E. Y. ''Pio Nono: A Study in European Politics and Religion in the Nineteenth Century'' (1954) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=9277182 online edition]

* Hales, E. E. Y. ''Pio Nono: A Study in European Politics and Religion in the Nineteenth Century'' (1954) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=9277182 online edition]

* O'Connor, James T. ''The Gift of Infallibility: The Official Relatio on Infallibility of Bishop Vincent Ferrer Gasser at Vatican Council I'' (2nd ed. 2008), pro. [http://www.amazon.com/Gift-Infallibility-Official-Relatio-Vincent/dp/1586171747/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254479187&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* O'Connor, James T. ''The Gift of Infallibility: The Official Relatio on Infallibility of Bishop Vincent Ferrer Gasser at Vatican Council I'' (2nd ed. 2008), pro. [https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Infallibility-Official-Relatio-Vincent/dp/1586171747/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254479187&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Ott, Michael. "Pope Pius IX" in ''The Catholic Encyclopedia.'' Vol. 12. (1911) [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12134b.htm online]

* Ott, Michael. "Pope Pius IX" in ''The Catholic Encyclopedia.'' Vol. 12. (1911) [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12134b.htm online]

* Powell, Mark E. ''Papal Infallibility: A Protestant Evaluation of an Ecumenical Issue'' (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Papal-Infallibility-Protestant-Evaluation-Ecumenical/dp/0802862845/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254481044&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search]

* Powell, Mark E. ''Papal Infallibility: A Protestant Evaluation of an Ecumenical Issue'' (2009) [https://www.amazon.com/Papal-Infallibility-Protestant-Evaluation-Ecumenical/dp/0802862845/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254481044&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search]

* Tierney, Brian. ''Origins of Papal Infallibility 1150-1350; a Study on the Concepts of Infallibility, Sovereignty and Tradition in the Middle Ages'' (1972), the dogma was invented in the Middle Ages  

* Tierney, Brian. ''Origins of Papal Infallibility 1150-1350; a Study on the Concepts of Infallibility, Sovereignty and Tradition in the Middle Ages'' (1972), the dogma was invented in the Middle Ages  

* Toner, Patrick. "Infallibility." in ''The Catholic Encyclopedia.'' Vol. 7. (1910) [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm online]

* Toner, Patrick. "Infallibility." in ''The Catholic Encyclopedia.'' Vol. 7. (1910) [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm online]

* [http://www.questia.com/library/religion/christianity/catholicism/papal-infallibility.jsp online books and articles from [[Questia]]]

* [http://www.questia.com/library/religion/christianity/catholicism/papal-infallibility.jsp online books and articles from [[Questia]]]

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:Catholic Church]]

[[Category:Catholic Church]]