sdyer@bbnccv.UUCP (Steve Dyer) (03/03/85)
Laura asked this in private mail, but I think it would be of interest to all, so here 'tis: >As I read your article, I though...hmm, he's wrong, there are 3 >infallible Papal pronouncements -- that the Pope can make infallible >pronouncements, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and... and... and... >darn. I couldn't think of the other one. Were those the 2 you were >thinking about or can we get the third one with coverage? > >Laura Creighton >utzoo!laura The doctrine of papal infallibility was formally codified at Vatican I in 1870, though it seems possible to find precedent for this view as early at the 14th century. Ecumenical councils have always been viewed as having definitive teaching authority for the Church, and any doctrines promulgated at them are solemnly binding. So, the doctrine of papal infallibility is antedated by the authoritative nature of any doctrinal pronouncements of ecumenical councils. In 1854, Pius IX promulgated the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the assertion that Mary was born without the ordinary human legacy of Original Sin, or perhaps seen more positively, was bestowed with an unusual amount of grace, given her role as the Mother of God. Note that this predates the Vatican I pronouncement on papal infallibility by a few years. Still, Vatican I didn't change what was the case in the Church at that time; rather, it affirmed the growing status quo. The statement by Pius IX is consistent with an "infallible" pronouncement. In 1950, Pius XII declared the dogma of the Assumption of Mary, the bodily assumption of Mary into heaven, though the details and manner of her assumption weren't made clear. Both of these dogmatic pronouncements were accompanied by an anathematic warning to those who would question their validity. It should be made clear that both of these teachings had precedent in the Church, often for very many years--the discussion of Original Sin and Mary went as far back as Aquinas (who incidentally argued against it), and the doctrine of the Assumption was widely held by many, including the Orthodox. What is exceptional is the manner and force of their formal declaration as dogma. These are the only pronouncements I know of which have the force of papal infallibility. Naturally, those more knowledgeable may correct me. -- /Steve Dyer {decvax,linus,ima,ihnp4}!bbncca!sdyer sdyer@bbnccv.ARPA