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PAPAL INFALLIBILITY
The special freedom from all error in teaching that is
possessed by the Pope when he makes a formal proclamation on
a matter concerning faith or morals. The infallibility of
the Supreme Pontiff was first officially defined by Vatican
Council I (1869-1870) under Pope Pius IX. One of the most
misunderstood and even exaggerated rights of the Holy
Father, infallibility is actually governed by specific
requirements and areas of competence. The pontiff can only
speak infallibly when he does so ex cathedra, meaning that
he formally declares some teaching to be unchangeably
correct and that he stands as shepherd of the Church and not
as a private theologian giving his opinion; further, he may
only speak infallibly on matters of faith and morals. Thus,
the old charge that the pope tried to speak infallibly about
the nature of the solar system in the time of Galileo is not
correct. The popes use their power of infallibility with
much care and only after extended study, reflection, and
prayer.
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