Infallibility of the Pope and the Magisterium

This is a hot topic among Christianity and the sects, The Catholic Church claims that the Pope and the Magisterium is infallible when teaching concerning doctrine of faith or morals, in the case of the Pope when speaking “ex cathedra”. Through this work we will examine if God can give this charism to a human being and we will investigate if this has a Biblical foundation or not.

HISTORY OF THE CHURCHAGAINST HERESIESAPOLOGETICSAPOSTOLIC FATHERS OF THE CHURCHOTHER

Leo Ramirez

6/15/202524 min read

Let me start with the Old Testament where we can find the information needed to build this case. In the book of Deuteronomy, the Word of God is clear about this charism:

Deuteronomy 17:8–13 (RSV2CE)

8 “If any case arises requiring decision between one kind of homicide and another, one kind of legal right and another, or one kind of assault and another, any case within your towns which is too difficult for you, then you shall arise and go up to the place which the Lord your God will choose, 9 and coming to the Levitical priests, and to the judge who is in office in those days, you shall consult them, and they shall declare to you the decision. 10 Then you shall do according to what they declare to you from that place which the Lord will choose; and you shall be careful to do according to all that they direct you; 11 according to the instructions which they give you, and according to the decision which they pronounce to you, you shall do; you shall not turn aside from the verdict which they declare to you, either to the right hand or to the left. 12 The man who acts presumptuously, by not obeying the priest who stands to minister there before the Lord your God, or the judge, that man shall die; so you shall purge the evil from Israel. 13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and not act presumptuously again.

It is evident that God is binding people to the decision made by priests and judges, because He is giving them infallibility, reason why He says “not obeying the priest who stands to minister there before the Lord your God, or the judge” is a grave sin, therefore, “that man shall die” according to the law. Thus, the people must obey and do according to their instruction not turning aside from the verdict declared by them, meaning that Yahweh will give these men of God infallibility to make decisions, teach and guide the people spiritually and morally.

Jeremiah said the following about these people of God:

Jeremiah 3:15 (RSV2CE)

15 “ ‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

If you can see, they receive this infallibility from God, because belongs to Him alone, but He pleases to give it to He wishes, they are shepherds after the heart of God and they will feed God’s people with knowledge and understanding that clearly comes from Him.

With His infallibility comes stewardship but also authority, with power to bind and loose.

Isaiah 22:22 (RSV2CE)

22 ¶ And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

These are the same words that are referenced by writers of the early Church when speaking about the event when Jesus gave the keys of the Kingdom to Peter and the authority to bind and loose. There is plenty evidence that according to the Church Fathers, this authority is given to the Apostle’s successors, to these men of God that will guide the Church and exercise the office of the episcopate.

The prophet Malachi says the following:

Malachi 2:7 (RSV2CE)

7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

It think this is enough evidence in the Old Testament about God appointing priests and judges who enjoy of infallibility from God to the point to make them visible authorities concerning faith and morals, this is why Malachi says, “the lips of a priest should guard knowledge”, a knowledge that comes from God, “and men should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts”, which means, according to God’s will this man will make sound decisions and teach righteous words for the wellness of people.

Now, let’s go to the New Testament to see the fulfillment of these prophecies about shepherds after God’s heart, those men with authority and charism that comes from Him as the eternal source and the giver of all knowledge and infallibility.

Matthew 16:18–19 (RSV2CE)

18 ¶ And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. ‡ 19 ¶ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,§ and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Jesus is telling Peter that he has the primacy by giving him the keys of the kingdom, besides that he is giving him the authority to bind and loose which implies God is also giving him infallibility when necessary to build and guide His Church. We know this because John gives us details of what was entrusted to Peter after the resurrection:

John 21:15–17 (RSV2CE)

15 ¶‡ When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 ¶ A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep”.

Jesus is entrusting Peter to feed his lambs referring to the other apostles, to those who love him, and Jesus asked, “Do you love me more than these?”. Also, he is entrusting his Church to Peter when he said, “Tend my sheep” and “Feed my sheep”. Here is when the episcopate of Peter is stablished by Jesus.

Of course, before dying in the cross he said that Satan will try to make Peter fall which will affect the growth of the new Church, but Jesus said:

Luke 22:31–32 (RSV2CE)

31 ¶“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 ¶ but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.”

Jesus had started a war against the kingdom of darkness by building his Church upon the rock (Peter) but Jesus said that he prayed for him, for his faith to be strong and when he had turned again, he could strengthen the rest of the disciples. So, after this, Peter and the rest of the Apostles will have a responsibility to preach and teach infallibly.

Matthew 28:18–20 (RSV2CE)

18 ¶ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 ¶ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 ¶ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

The apostles will have to make disciples to build Jesus’ Church and after baptism, teach them in an infallible way everything that he has commanded them promising that he will be with them and the Church always. But they still are going to learn more things, and the Spirit is who will come to remind them and teach them the mysteries of the gospel of Jesus.

John 16:13 (RSV2CE)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

The Spirit will guide the Apostles into all truth in an infallible way declaring the things that are to come and those that will be part of the gospel of Jesus. And it is evident this is a fulfillment of those promises written in the Old Testament in Jeremiah, Isaiah and Malachi.

Now, the Spirit did reveal to the Apostles and their successors mysteries of the gospel and it is documented that the pillar of the truth is the Church like the Apostle Paul said to Timothy.

1 Timothy 3:15–16 (RSV2CE)

15 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. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion:

He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Here we can start to see how these mysteries were started to be revealed in an infallible manner and did not cease with Paul and the Apostles but continued through the Fathers of the Church.

Paul said this to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 4:11–13 (RSV2CE)

11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;

The reason why God established His priests of the New Covenant is to equip the saints and build up the Church until all attain the unity of the faith (which has developed through the years), the knowledge of the Son of God and his fulness being the Holy Spirit the main person revealing everything that the Church needs to grow and find salvation.

Peter is giving us information how infallibility is reached by a mere man, rejecting fallible and private interpretation. Thus, in the same way as this infallibility applied to God’s people in the Old Covenant, also is applied in the New Covenant period.

2 Peter 1:20–21 (RSV2CE)

20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

If men moved by the Holy Spirit speaking from God exist, this means that God gives them infallibility to speak in His name. This doesn’t mean that anyone who claims to be inspired by the Holy Spirit must be credible, because in the same way as God spoke through Prophets, Priests and Judges in the Old Covenant, He also speaks through His people in the New Covenant without contradicting Christian faith found in tradition, reason why Paul says the following:

Galatians 1:8 (RSV2CE)

8 ¶ But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed.

If something is not apostolic, then it is diabolic. Pay attention that Paul is not saying a gospel contrary to what we gave you or will give you soon in a written form, but “contrary to that which we preached to you”. This is an allusion to the dogmas taught by the Church like those found in the first council in Jerusalem described in the book of Acts, because never was the idea to write down everything in Scripture just as it is shown by the Disciplina Arcani.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (RSV2CE)

13 ¶ And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Paul and the Apostles were teaching doctrine in an infallible manner and the people who knew Scripture of the Old Testament accepted their oral teachings as word of God, therefore, there is a reason behind dogmas; since the written word of God needs interpreters who are infallible in their interpretation. Over time, dogmas were created, and over the years, some were written by the Church Fathers to prevent people from being deceived by sects and even schismatic "Christians" who had somehow been warned in advance.

Acts 20:28–30 (RSV2CE)

28 Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the Church of the Lord which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Let’s remember that the New Testament is not developed yet, so, besides the letters written to the churches, the teachings were made in an oral form and teachers were selected after being tested by the Spirit, these are teachers that will speak in an infallible way what they have received by the Apostles through tradition, therefore, they must use the available Scripture (Old Testament writings) and the Apostolic Tradition to interpret Scripture and teach others, this is when famous verses taken out of context have now a different meaning, like the following one:

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (RSV2CE)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,* 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The Scripture must not be interpreted out of the Apostolic tradition, therefore, Paul is not calling Timothy to interpret what he wants, but what has been taught by the Apostolic Tradition, which is the necessary key to interpret correctly and infallibly, just as it is said in Titus:

Titus 1:9 (RSV2CE)

9 he [the bishop] must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it.

What do I want to clarify with these verses? That the Apostolic Tradition which we now have in part in the writings of the Fathers of the Church, was administered and transmitted by infallible men of God moved by the Holy Spirit using apostolic succession as a means. If God could do this from the Old Covenant, what prevents Him from doing the same in the New Covenant and granting the same infallibility to the Pope and the Magisterium of the Church? Especially, since neither Jesus nor the Apostles said that the revelation of the Spirit was going to end with them.

Furthermore, historical evidence we have in the writings of the Fathers of the Church about the Holy Spirit revealing mysteries that the Apostles were not allowed to develop, as an example we can mention the Holy Trinity. Therefore, I believe it necessary to point out that the verses we read before in the books of Jeremiah, Isaiah and Malachi can be associated to the clergy of the New Testament Church, since, the promise given to restore the tabernacle of David has its fulfillment through the institution of the Church of Jesus Christ as described by James in the first Council of the Church in Jerusalem registered in the book of Acts.

Acts 15:13–18 (RSV2CE)

13 …James replied, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 Symeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written,

16 ¶ After this I will return,

and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;

I will rebuild its ruins,

and I will set it up,

17 that the rest of men may seek the Lord,

and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,

18 says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.’

Now that I have finished the first section of this document with Biblical arguments, let’s see what we can find about infallibility in the writings of the first Christians.

Fathers of the Church and Other Christians Writings

In the Constitutions of the Holy Apostles we see how there is a continuation of Old Testament’s practices in the Temple like sacrifices and offerings presented then by the high priest, priests and Levites that foreshadowed the New Testament’s sacrifices and offerings in the Church. This totally aligns with what St. James said previously in the first council of Jerusalem found in the book of Acts 15:13-18.

Constitutions of the Holy Apostles [375-390 AD]

Hear this, you of the laity also, the elect Church of God. For the people were formerly called “the people of God,” and “an holy nation.”11 You, therefore, are the holy and sacred “Church of God, enrolled in heaven, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people,”... Those which were then the sacrifices [in the Temple] now are prayers, and intercessions, and thanksgivings [in the Church]. Those which were then first-fruits, and tithes, and offerings, and gifts, now are oblations, which are presented by holy bishops to the Lord God, through Jesus Christ, who has died for them. For these [bishops] are your high priests, as the presbyters are your priests, and your present deacons instead of your Levites; as are also your readers, your singers, your porters, your deaconesses, your widows, your virgins, and your orphans: but He who is above all these is the High Priest.

Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, eds., “Constitutions of the Holy Apostles,” in Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius, Apostolic Teaching and Constitutions, Homily, and Liturgies, trans. James Donaldson, vol. 7, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1886), 409–410.

Here it is clear the Jewish High Priests foreshadow the Bishops, the Priests of the Jewish Temple foreshadow the Presbyters, and the Levites foreshadow the Deacons, etc. Therefore, the words said by God in Deuteronomy, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Malachi about priests, high priests and judges have fulfillment in the clergy of God’s Church instituted by Jesus.

Let’s continue with St. Clement to understand how he is a great example of infallibility of the Pope.

St. Clement of Rome (Disciple of St. Peter and St. Paul) [70 AD]

The whole first letter of St. Clement to the Corinthians is stunning evidence to defend Papal infallibility, let’s remember that he was also a Pope.

The Church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth... We feel that we have been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the points respecting which you consulted us; and especially to that shameful and detestable sedition, utterly abhorrent to the elect of God, which a few rash and self-confident persons have kindled to such a pitch of frenzy, that your venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be universally loved, has suffered grievous injury.

Clement of Rome, “The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians,” in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 5.

Just the introduction of the letter portrays the highly regarded position of the Church of Rome and of his bishop, reason why the bishop must be consulted by the Church of Corinth because of the preeminent authority of the Church of Rome (just like Irenaeus said in his work Against Heresies).

Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble mind, laying aside all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry feelings; and let us act according to that which is written (for the Holy Spirit saith, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, neither let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in the Lord, in diligently seeking Him, and doing judgment and righteousness”), being especially mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus which He spake, teaching us meekness and long-suffering. For thus He spoke: “Be ye merciful, that ye may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be forgiven to you; as ye do, so shall it be done unto you; as ye judge, so shall ye be judged; as ye are kind, so shall kindness be shown to you; with what measure ye mete, with the same it shall be measured to you.” By this precept and by these rules let us establish ourselves, that we walk with all humility in obedience to His holy words. For the holy word saith, “On whom shall I look, but on him that is meek and peaceable, and that trembleth at My words?”

The position of authority of St. Clement also known as Pope Clement I is demonstrated by this exhortation, he is infallibly giving directions and exhorting on doctrine and morals. He also said in this letter:

For you will give us joy and gladness; if you are obedient to the things which we have written through the Holy Spirit.

Pope Clement I, Saint Ignatius Bishop of Antioch, Saint Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna, et al., The Apostolic Fathers, ed. Kirsopp Lake, vol. 1, The Loeb Classical Library (Cambridge MA; London: Harvard University Press, 1912–1913), 119.

Like I said before, the whole letter is an example from the first century about the bishop of Rome (the Pope) exercising authority and intervening in the affairs of another church with the purpose to resolve a dispute suggesting a recognized position of leadership and giving doctrinal solutions under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit with total infallibility.

Shortly after St. Clement we have the disciple of John the Apostle, Ignatius of Antioch writing the following to the Catholic Church of Rome:

Ignatius of Antioch (Disciple of the Apostle John) [98 – 117 AD]

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Most High Father, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him that willeth all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our God, which also presides in the place of the region of the Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of obtaining her every desire, worthy of being deemed holy, and which presides over love, is named from Christ, and from the Father

Ignatius of Antioch, “The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans,” in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 73.

When Ignatius says that the Roman Church “presides in the place of the region of the Romans” suggests she has a position of honour, pre-eminence authority and leadership, while the phrase “presides in love” indicates her primacy.

Through his letters to other churches, Ignatius is free to give directions and exhortations while to the Roman Church he just doesn’t. He says the following instead:

Ye have never envied any one; ye have taught others.

This is a praise that can be interpreted that the bishop of Rome has taught sound doctrine and is an example to others. It also implies infallibility while teaching faith and morals because Ignatius said “ye have taught others” implying the teaching of sound doctrine.

Why is this considered an example of papal infallibility? First, because it is evident to the reader that Ignatius's letter to the Romans coincides with what Irenaeus (a disciple of Polycarp) wrote about the Roman Church in his work Against Heresies. Second, because both Ignatius and Polycarp were disciples of the apostle John, one wrote this letter and the other travelled to Rome to speak about the date of celebration of the Christian Passover with Pope Anicetus. And finally, because we know, thanks to Irenaeus, that there was already a line of Popes in Rome through the successions of bishops, who speaks about an apostolic tradition and a pre-eminence of the Church of Rome.

Irenaeus of Lyon (Disciple of Polycarp) [c. 180 AD]

tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul; as also [by pointing out] the faith preached to men, which comes down to our time by means of the successions of the bishops. For it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church, on account of its pre-eminent authority, that is, the faithful everywhere…

Irenaeus of Lyons, “Irenæus against Heresies,” in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 415.

If the Church of Rome founded by St. Peter and St. Paul according to St. Irenaeus has pre-eminent authority over the rest of the churches, and he says that every Church should agree with this Church, this means, she has jurisdiction over the rest of the churches, she has pre-eminent authority to teach faith and morals with infallibility from the chair (ex cathedra) through her bishop who is known to us as the Pope.

Irenaeus also said this about the Catholic Church:

For where the Church is, there is the Spirit of God; and where the Spirit of God is, there is the Church, and every kind of grace; but the Spirit is truth.

Irenaeus of Lyons, “Irenæus against Heresies,” in The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, vol. 1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 458.

Because the Spirit of God is with the Church, their leaders during history have the infallibility of the Holy Spirit, the church have every kind of grace because she has the Spirit of truth speaking through her.

Another early Father of the Church that confirmed the infallibility from the Roman see is Tertullian.

Tertullian [c. 207 AD]

CHAP. XXVIII.—THE ONE TRADITION OF THE FAITH, WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY ALIKE IN THE CHURCHES EVERYWHERE, A GOOD PROOF THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN TRUE AND HONEST IN THE MAIN

Grant, then, that all have erred; that the apostle was mistaken in giving his testimony; that the Holy Ghost had no such respect to any one (church) as to lead it into truth, although sent with this view by Christ, and for this asked of the Father that He might be the teacher of truth;10 grant, also, that He, the Steward of God, the Vicar of Christ, neglected His office, permitting the churches for a time to understand differently, (and) to believe differently, what He Himself was preaching by the apostles,—is it likely that so many churches, and they so great, should have gone astray into one and the same faith? No casualty distributed among many men issues in one and the same result. Error of doctrine in the churches must necessarily have produced various issues. When, however, that which is deposited among many is found to be one and the same, it is not the result of error, but of tradition. Can any one, then, be reckless12 enough to say that they were in error who handed on the tradition?

Tertullian, “The Prescription against Heretics,” in Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, trans. Peter Holmes, vol. 3, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1885), 256.

Tertullian, against the heretics, gives examples of how tradition has been infallible thanks to the Holy Spirit and explains that it is the work of the Holy Spirit that many churches believe and understand the same thing about Christianity. He speaks of infallibility in the apostle's testimony, of the Holy Spirit's respect for the Church to guide her into all truth, and of the active work of the Holy Spirit within her. He then speaks of God's steward, the Vicar of Christ, or, in other words, of the Holy Spirit as the infallible transmitter of the gospel truth, who has not neglected his office of teaching and guiding, with the result that the churches understand and believe in the same way through apostolic succession. Everything Tertullian describes here is the result of an infallible Church with an infallible bishop in matters of faith and morals. He affirms that the deposit of faith among many is one and the same thanks to tradition, and asks: Can anyone, then, be reckless enough to say that they were in error who handed on the tradition?

As we can see, the promise of Jesus giving the Holy Spirit to teach and to guide the Church into all truth was always present in the minds of the Fathers of the Apostolic Church, and those who did not write about it is because they believed the same and did not feel the responsibility to write about it or defend it since it was obvious for them to conclude that. Therefore, it is the work of the Holy Spirit and not men that Tradition has been infallible and that the same tradition has been passed by apostolic succession in an infallible manner, otherwise, tradition, belief and understanding will be different among the Catholic Church just as it is evident in the sects of Protestantism where is notable that the Holy Spirit is not guiding them into all truth because they are outside of the Church since they are in schism.

According to the Fathers of the Church, infallibility is found in the Catholic Church alone, because those who separate themselves from the Church are not following Christ and don’t have the divine tradition, having a different confession lacerating the body of Christ. Cyprian wrote about this issue:

St. Cyprian [c. 250 AD]

For it weighs me down and saddens me, and the intolerable grief of a smitten, almost prostrate, spirit seizes me, when I find that you there, contrary to ecclesiastical order, contrary to evangelical law, contrary to the unity of the Catholic institution, had consented that another bishop should be made. That is what is neither right nor allowable to be done; that another church should be set up; that Christ’s members should be torn asunder; that the one mind and body of the Lord’s flock should be lacerated by a divided emulation. I entreat that in you, at all events, that unlawful rending of our brotherhood may not continue; but remembering both your confession and the divine tradition, you may return to the Mother whence you have gone forth; whence you came to the glory of confession with the rejoicing of the same Mother. And think not that you are thus maintaining the Gospel of Christ when you separate yourselves from the flock of Christ.

Cyprian of Carthage, “The Epistles of Cyprian,” in Fathers of the Third Century: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Novatian, Appendix, ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, trans. Robert Ernest Wallis, vol. 5, The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company, 1886), 321.

Cyprian is calling them to come back to their Mother the Catholic Church because the implication of leaving and appointing a bishop that is not ordained by the Church make them a schismatic sect, and he points out that they are lacerating the body of Christ by doing so. He says that they must come back to where divine tradition is found, that is, come back to the Catholic Church, your Mother whence you have gone forth; and clarifies them that they don’t have to think that they are maintaining the Gospel of Christ when they separate themselves from the flock of Christ. So, because the divine tradition is infallible, they must come back to the infallible Church since creating another one, they fall into error and fallible teachings from men. We can be sure that the Apostolic Fathers would say the same to those who are found in the Protestant’s schism.

St. Cyprian also said the following:

For the glorious honour of our predecessors, the blessed martyrs [Pope] Cornelius and [Pope] Lucius, must be maintained, whose memory as we hold in honour, much more ought you, dearest brother, to honour and cherish with your weight and authority, since you have become their vicar and successor. For they, full of the Spirit of God, and established in a glorious martyrdom, judged that peace should be granted to the lapsed, and that when penitence was undergone, the reward of peace and communion was not to be denied; and this they attested by their letters, and we all everywhere and entirely have judged the same thing. For there could not be among us a diverse feeling in whom there was one spirit; and therefore it is manifest that he does not hold the truth of the Holy Spirit with the rest, whom we observe to think differently.

This is another clear example of two Popes who full of the Spirit of God infallibly judged that peace should be granted to the lapsed during persecution and after confession and penitence, the reward of peace and communion was not to be denied to them. Therefore, those who think differently to what the Church teaches, it is manifested that they do not hold the truth of the Holy Spirit.

Another Father of the Church who confirmed the infallibility from the Roman see is St. Augustine of Hippo. He is the next source that we are going to introduce to this case:

St. Augustine of Hippo [412 – 421 AD]

This is a Sermon on the words of the Gospel, John 6:53, “Except ye eat the flesh...” etc., and on the words of the apostles, and the psalms against the Pelagians.

For already have two councils on this question been sent to the Apostolic see; and rescripts also have come from thence. The question has been brought to an issue; would that their error may sometime be brought to an issue too!

Augustine of Hippo, “Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament,” in Saint Augustin: Sermon on the Mount, Harmony of the Gospels, Homilies on the Gospels, ed. Philip Schaff, trans. R. G. MacMullen, vol. 6, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series (New York: Christian Literature Company, 1888), 504.

St. Augustine is teaching to his flock that two councils (Milevi and Carthage) condemning the Pelagian heresy have sent their decree to the Apostolic See. The authority and the infallibility in the quick response of the Apostolic see is strong enough to say, “The question has been brought to an issue”, in other words, the question has been brought into discussion and to an end reaffirming the position of the Church and condemning the heresy, therefore, this is another example on how with tremendous infallibility the Spirit guides the Church to treat matters like this one among others.

Conclusion

I have concluded that there are four pillars of the Papal Infallibility:

God: Who is infallible and gives, when necessary, his infallibility to whom he wishes (prophets, apostles, fathers of the church, popes).
Christ Jesus: Who promised that he will be with his church always and that the gates of Hades will not prevail against the Church.
The Holy Spirit: Who was promised to the Church and was said that He will teach his people and lead them to all truth.
The Church: Based on the decree that the Church is the Pillar and bulwark of the truth.

We have sufficient evidence to support Papal and Magisterial Infallibility, because we know that this grace comes from the Holy Spirit of God, who is the one who guides the Church to all truth and wisdom. We can say that whether it is the biblical evidence presented to us from the Old Testament period, the New Testament writers, and the Church Fathers, confirm that the Holy Spirit has been working in the Church to reveal and teach everything necessary for the Christian faith. Thus, Papal infallibility can be perfectly understood as the Church defines it.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

889 In order to preserve the Church in the purity of the faith handed on by the apostles, Christ who is the Truth willed to confer on her a share in his own infallibility. By a “supernatural sense of faith” the People of God, under the guidance of the Church’s living Magisterium, “unfailingly adheres to this faith.” (92)

890 The mission of the Magisterium is linked to the definitive nature of the covenant established by God with his people in Christ. It is this Magisterium’s task to preserve God’s people from deviations and defections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of professing the true faith without error. Thus, the pastoral duty of the Magisterium is aimed at seeing to it that the People of God abides in the truth that liberates. To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the Church’s shepherds with the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals. The exercise of this charism takes several forms: (851; 1785)

891 “The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful—who confirms his brethren in the faith—he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals.… The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter’s successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium,” above all in an Ecumenical Council. When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine “for belief as being divinely revealed,” and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions “must be adhered to with the obedience of faith.”420 This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself.

Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition (Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2019), 235–236.

Leo Ramirez – BTh.

Infallibility of the Pope and the Magisterium

Faith