Expert: Edward Bode - 7/6/2009

Question
Dear Edward,

I'd be very grateful if you could either answer my
questions or refer me to an intelligent discussion
of these issues,
written by an ecumenically-minded Catholic theologian.  I was raised in the
Roman Catholic church, but have been in the Anglican Communion
(as an Anglo-Catholic) for the past 20 years, approx.

My questions centre upon matters of conscience
and the Church's position on infallibility.  I've
been told by one parish priest that all the teachings
of the magisterium must be regarded as infallible.

Is that an official dogma of the Church?
Regarding this issue, I have read that the
writings of st. Thomas Aquinas were condemned for
some years, soon after he died.  Clearly, that action
has been rescinded, but the decision to condemn this
saint's writings could not have been an infallible one.
Likewise, the decision to condemn and execute St. Joan of Arc could not have been an infallible one.

Were either of these  decisions made by the magisterium,
and were either of them regarded as infallible at the time
the decisions were made?

At times I debate within myself whether I could
be at peace, if I were to return to the Roman
Church -- so much turns upon whether an individual
such as myself, is left with any freedom of conscience.
I have a Ph.D. in Philosophy, and the idea that any
single person or group of people are infallible on topics
as perplexing as theology is not credible to me.

Well, many thanks for any remarks you can provide.

Bob Hadley


Answer
Thanks, Dr. Hadley, for taking the time to write.  

Infallibility refers to the dogmas of faith and morals found in God’s revelation or flowing from it.   Infallibility comes not from humans but from God.  [The objectors to St. Thomas were not speaking officially for the whole Church in an infallible manner.  Neither were the executionors of St. Joan acting for the official Church.]

Since God [Who is Truth] has chosen to communicate with humanity, He owes it to Himself to communicate in a manner that assures that His message is and always will be true.  It would not make human or divine sense for God to ask our assent in faith to a message that has been corrupted by falsehood.  

So, the gift of infallibility is a divine assurance that our faith is not misplaced or misguided.  In short, the infinite God asks finite people to accept His message of truth with the assent of faith.

I see the gift of infallibility as an assurance for our human conscience.  For example, that the forgiveness of sin comes from the Sacrament of Penance; that the three Divine Persons are one God.  

In the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to Himself as the way, the truth, and life.  He asks our fallible human mind to assent to the infallible divine truth.

To read of the details of when and how infallibility can come about through the solemn, official declarations of the Church concerning God's revelation, please read paragraphs 84-100, 871-892, 935-938, of The Catechism of the Catholic Church.  The text may be found at: www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

Then, if you wish, we may discuss further the issues that concern you.

I attended Mass this morning and remembered you in my prayers.  

I hope this response to your query will allow you to pray and reconsider your return to the Catholic Church.


Best wishes, Bob.