An Apologetical Explanation of

Infallibility

What does it mean to say that the Pope is infallible?

“I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you…. He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”  (Jn 14:16-26)

I ope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of god, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.  (1 Tm 3:14-15)

Not only the Pope but also the bishops in union with him, exercising the Magisterium of the Church, are infallible when they teach definitively on matters of faith and morals.  This is a guarantee given by Christ and the Holy Spirit that the Church may always teach the Gospel free of error.

It would have been futile for Christ to have established a teaching authority on earth if he were not likewise to guarantee the truth of what the authority would teach.  Because of its divine institution and its guidance by the Holy Spirit, the Magisterium of the Church teaches without error on matters of faith and morals.  This is particularly true when the Magisterium solemnly defines doctrines; such dogmas are revealed truths that are proclaimed and bind all the baptized as matters of faith.  (Cf. CCC 88, 2049-2051)

The true interpretation of both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition is expressed in the teachings of the Magisterium, which comprise the Pope and the bishops of the Church, the successors of St. Peter and the Apostles.  (Cf. CCC 84, 95)

The Church’s teaching on matters of faith and morals, therefore, is infallible.  Church teachings are free from error in any of the following circumstances:

  • The Pope, in his office as supreme teacher, makes a declaration regarding faith or morals by a definitive act.
  • The Pope, together with the bishops in union with him, exercises the Magisterium, particularly in an Ecumenical Council.
  • The bishops, in communion with the Pope, propose a teaching that leads to a better understanding of Revelation in a matter of faith and morals. (Cf. CCC 891-892)

Finally, it is important to distinguish infallibility from impeccability, i.e., freedom from sin.  No member of the Church—except the Blessed Virgin Mary by reason of her Immaculate Conception—has ever been without sin.  While the gift of infallibility prevents the Church from erring in matters of faith and morals, the Pope and bishops of the Church are nonetheless human and therefore fallible except in matters of faith and morals.

The Catechism addresses this question in paragraphs 889 and 2051.

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