The Uncertain Certainty

From past and present, here are some of the things that have been said about papal authority and infallibility:

UNLESS I am convinced by the testimonies of Scripture or evident reason (for I do not believe either Pope or councils alone, since it is certain that they have both erred frequently and contradicted themselves) ... I neither can nor wish to revoke anything.

--Martin Luther at Worms (1521)

The dogma has been divinely revealed: that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra--that is, when carrying out the duty of the pastor and teacher of all Christians in accord with his supreme apostolic authority he explains a doctrine of faith or morals to be held by the universal Church through the divine assistance promised him in blessed Peter --operates with that infallibility with which the divine Redeemer wished that His Church be instructed in defining doctrine on faith and morals; and so such definitions of the Roman Pontiff from himself, but not from the consensus of the Church, are unalterable. But if anyone presumes to contradict this definition of ours, which may God forbid: let him be anathema.

--Vatican Council I (1870)

Although the individual bishops do not enjoy the prerogative of infallibility, they can nevertheless proclaim Christ's doctrine infallibly . . . provided that while maintaining the bond of unity among themselves and with Peter's successor, and while teaching authentically on a matter of faith or morals, they concur in a single viewpoint. . .

--Vatican Council II (1964)

It has now become quite clear that the conception of continuity, authority, infallibility of the Church and the Church's teaching, on which there has not been sufficient reflection, has led the Catholic Church into a dangerous tight corner.

--Infallible? An Inquiry, Hans Ku"ng (1971)

The Roman interpretation of infallibility claims so much that it becomes irrational and unreal, and if the claim is modified it becomes meaningless.

--John McKenzie, S.J., in National Catholic Reporter

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