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Question
How do you tell when a Pope is speaking ex cathedra or when he is simply making a statement about somthing he feels strongly about?
Hi Michael.
You refer to infallibility, one of the most misunderstood ideas of the Christian faith.
1. Typically a pronouncement is not made before speaking "ex cathedra", and 2. Infallibility is not limited to the Pope.
Here is a link to a more complete explanation of the subject:
http://catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp
The idea is quite old, but it's been explained a bit differently over the years. Believe it or not the Wikipedia contributors have done a decent job of an overview of it too:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibility
Finally, here is an entry from the old (1920 or so) Catholic Encyclopedia:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05677a.htm
I hope this has helped.
Rick.
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Rick Jackson
Expertise
I can help clarify fact vs. fiction regarding the teachings of the Catholic Faith. I believe that Catholicism is the best representation of the Historic Christian Faith and that this can be shown with Scripture, reason and history.
I am an ecumenical apologist. I'm not interested in telling non-Catholics why they are wrong, but am happy to explain and confirm what we believe and why we; from Scripture, reason and history.
There are some issues where I will have to politely agree to disagree with my non-Catholic brother in Christ, however there is so much that we share in common, I'd prefer to clarify those first. :)
Experience
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As a former Protestant (Church of the Nazarene) I came to the faith by recognizing, after lengthy study, that Catholocism is the best representation of the Historic Christian Faith.
Very interested in "ecumenical apologetics", and have started a website pursuing it: www.catholictruths.com
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Catholic Truths
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Some College. Received religious instruction by the Dominicans. Have attended several "seminars" (or viewed via DVD) by Scott Hahn, Patrick Madrid and other apologists.
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