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Also See The Fallibility of Papal Infallibility
by Jason Engwer (Below)
Definition
An article entitled Papal Infallibility on the web site Catholic Answers quotes Vatican II as saying papal infallibility is...
"... a charism the pope "enjoys in virtue of his office, when, as the supreme shepherd and teacher of all the faithful, who confirms his brethren in their faith (Luke 22:32), he proclaims by a definitive act some doctrine of faith or morals. Therefore his definitions, of themselves, and not from the consent of the Church, are justly held irreformable, for they are pronounced with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, an assistance promised to him in blessed Peter."
See Apostolic Succession
If it can be shown that Peter was not the first Pope (and it can be) the very foundation of the papacy collapses causing the entire superstructure to follow suit simply because there is virtually no Catholicism without the pope and his bishops.
The article goes on to say
Some ask how popes can be infallible if some of them lived scandalously. This objection, of course, illustrates the common confusion between infallibility and impeccability. There is no guarantee that popes won't sin or give bad example
Other people wonder how infallibility could exist if some popes disagreed with others. This, too, shows an inaccurate understanding of infallibility, which applies only to solemn, official teachings on faith and morals, not to disciplinary decisions or even to unofficial comments on faith and morals. A pope's private theological opinions are not infallible; only what he solemnly defines is considered to be infallible teaching... [01]
In other words, popes can contradict each other, live a completely debauched life, make numerous errors, yet (Emphasis Added)
This loyal submission of the will and intellect must be given, in a special way, to the authentic teaching authority of the Roman Pontiff, even when he does not speak ex cathedra in such wise, indeed, that his supreme teaching authority be acknowledged with respect, and that one sincerely adhere to decisions made by him. [02]
How in the world does that make any sense?
One pope comes along and makes a decision then, months or years later, another pope comes along and contradicts the first pope's decisions - so which pope's decisions are Catholics to "sincerely adhere to"? See Footnote I for two examples.
Texts That Supposedly Prove Infallibility
The infallibility of the pope is not a doctrine that suddenly appeared in Church teaching; rather, it is a doctrine that was implicit in the early Church. It is only our understanding of infallibility that has developed and been more clearly understood over time. In fact, the doctrine of infallibility is implicit in these Petrine texts: John 21:15 - 17 ("Feed my sheep . . . "), Luke 22:32 ("I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail"), and Matthew 16:18 ("You are Peter . . . ") [03]
Lets take a brief (or not so brief) look at the verses quoted to see if, as claimed, the doctrine of infallibility is implicit in them.
John 21:15-17
Now 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, "Tend My lambs." He *said to him again, a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." He *said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was hurt because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep. (NASB)
In Matthew 26:33 Peter claimed to love Jesus more than the other disciples did. In his words "Even if they all fall away because of You, I will never fall away!"
It seems that the questions Jesus asked in John 21:15-17 were posed to get Peter to reassess and rethink his rather extravagant claim - which Peter did. Although he could truthfully affirm that he loved Jesus, he did not go so far as to claim that his love was greater than that of his fellow-disciples.
To this our Lord replied, "Tend My lambs."
Jesus then asked the question twice more. There was no other reason to do so except that the Savior was relating the thrice asked question to the three times Peter denied Christ. And each time the Savior gave Peter a specific commission.
The second time when Jesus asked "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter replies with the identical words he used the first time "Yes, Lord, You know I love You."
Jesus responded, "Shepherd My sheep."
It was when Jesus asked the same question the third time that it must have registered with Peter as being related to his three-fold denial and saddened him which is why answers with the words "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."
As said by John F. Walvoord
One of the important figures used to depict the relationship between Christ and His church is that of the Great Shepherd and the sheep. From the time of Abraham, Israel, as a nation, was known as a people who raised cattle and sheep and, therefore, it was a part of their culture to know the characteristics of the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. It was a natural development that the term shepherd should be used to represent a spiritual overseer who would care for his congregation in much the same way as a shepherd would care for his sheep. [04]
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in the fold of His robe; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. (Isaiah 40:11 NASB)
Jesus being the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep (John 10) was telling Peter that if he really loved Him, he would care for His (Jesus') sheep. The emphasis of this passage is on shepherding, love, and service, not on leadership. It certainly has nothing to do with infallibility - Peter's love for Jesus would be demonstrated by faithfully caring for His sheep.
Luke 22:32
Read in context
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you (hymas) like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32 BSB)
The Greek word rendered "you" (hymas) is not singular but second person plural. Jesus was speaking to all His disciples.
Jesus was not only warning them that Satan had requested, and evidently obtained, permission to 'sift' them ie. attempt to destroy their faith, but He was also making both a specific prophecy and a promise. Peter would certainly fail but equally certainly would return. And when he did so Jesus commissioned him to strengthen his brothers.
Once more there is not the slightest whiff of infallibility.
Matthew 16:18 has been addressed in detail HERE
The Church Will Never Fall Away
Catholic Answers also states that...
Christ instructed the Church to preach everything he taught (Matt. 28:19 - 20) and promised the protection of the Holy Spirit to "guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). That mandate and that promise guarantee the Church will never fall away from his teachings (Matt. 16:18, 1 Tim. 3:15), even if individual Catholics might. [05]
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (John 16:13 NASB)
See Matthew 16:18 HERE
I Timothy 3:15:
In I Timothy 3:15 Paul says
in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God's household, which is the church (Gk. ekklesia) of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15 BSB)
In this verse Paul called the "church" "the pillar and foundation of the truth" which has been taken to mean the Catholic Church.
Far from being that being the case, the word ekklesia is a noun that means "called out". It is a compound word made up of ek (a preposition that means out of, or out from) and a derivative of the verb kaleo (to call or call forth) and was used of a regularly convened assembly such as the ancient Greek political assemblies or a select civil body that was summoned for a particular purpose.
It refers to people NOT a building or organization which is why it should never have been translated 'church' but should have been rendered assembly or congregation.
In other words, "church" is an unacceptable translation of ekklesia.
With few exceptions most modern versions, doing their part to perpetuate man-made organizations, render ekklesia as church except when the word church wouldn't work at all.
I Timothy 3:15 has absolutely nothing to do with the Catholic Church.
See The Church... Then and Now - Chapter I
John 16:13
Regarding John 16:13 David Guzik says the following in his commentary
He will guide you into all truth: In one sense, this was fulfilled when the New Testament writings, divinely inspired by God, were completed. In another sense the Holy Spirit continues today to personally lead us into truth, but never in opposition to the Scripture, because God's supremely authoritative revelation is closed with the New Testament. The New Testament is permanent evidence that the apostles were guided into truth about this.” [06]
Matthew 28:19 - 20
The article also says "Christ instructed the Church to preach everything he taught (Matt. 28:19 - 20)"
These verses from Matthew are called "The Great Commission" ie. the resurrected Jesus Christ's instruction to his disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all He commanded.
However, the Great Commission was given on at least three different occasions.
- 1. upper room on the day of the resurrection (Luke 24:46-47; John 20:21)
- 2. on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20)
- 3. on the Mount of Olives just before the ascension (Acts 1:6-8).
However if you read each of these verses in context it is clear than on each occasion Christ was speaking to His disciples. For example Acts 1:6-8 reads
So when they came together, they asked Him, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus replied, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8 BSB)
This does not mean that only the Apostles were to spread the gospel but neither does it in an shape, form, or fashion indicate these instruction were only applicable to the Catholic Church. It is for all Christians, not just the church's leadership!
See Context is Crucial
Holiness
Additionally, when the book of Hebrews clearly states that without holiness no Man shall see God!" (12:14), what is the fate of men like Benedict the 9th and Pope John XII (described as 'a robber, a murderer, and incestuous person). And what about the Saeculum obscurum, a period during the 10th century that was known for incredible corruption and vice in the Papacy.
See An Overview of the History of the Papacy
For example, seventy-five popes, one after another, from Pope Innocent Pope Pius VII, approved of torture, murder, and burning at the stake, and the confiscation of property of believers in the horrific centuries of the Inquisition.
These men and others like them will never see God and are to be despised, not respected.
Catholic Answers also says (Emphasis Added)
What infallibility does do is prevent a pope from solemnly and formally teaching as "truth" something that is, in fact, error. It does not help him know what is true, nor does it "inspire" him to teach what is true. [07]
Which brings us to something called ...
Ex Cathedra
Ex Cathedra is a Latin phrase meaning "from the chair" used to describe an official, infallible pronouncement made by the Pope. Roman Catholic scholars acknowledge that the pope is not infallible in everything he teaches but only when he speaks ex cathedra, as the official interpreter of faith and morals.
The teaching must strictly concern matters of faith or morals and it must be clearly stated that the doctrine is definitive, irreformable (ie. incapable of being changed, improved, corrected, or revised), and binding on the entire Catholic Church.
Apparently, papal infallibility has only been exercised twice: the Immaculate Conception decree of Pope Pius IX in 1854 and the Assumption of Mary decree of Pope Pius XII in 1950.
Ineffabilis Deus (Latin: 'Ineffable God'). The apostolic constitution issued by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854, that formally defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary ie. Mary was conceived without sin. [08]
Munificentissimus Deus. (Latin: The most bountiful God). The apostolic constitution published in 1950 by Pope Pius XII that defines ex cathedra the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. ie. she was 'assumed' or taken up body and soul into heaven without first dying. [09]
In both cases the popes were speaking 'ex cathedra'. Since both these doctrines have been shown to be false the whole concept of Papal infallibility doesn't have a leg to stand on.
See The Immaculate Conception
And The Assumption
It was not God's word but "pious crusades", "urgent petitions" and "Marian Congresses" (what ever those are) that caused the church to decide that 'the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin could be proposed and defined as a dogma of faith'.
Footnote I -
Examples Of Popes Contradicting Each Other
Abortion
Pope Gregory XIV said that it was not murder to abort an embryo of less than 40 days reversing a decision reversed a 1588 decree by Pope Sixtus V, which treated termination of pregnancy at any stage as homicide.
Finally, in 1869, Pope Pius IX sidestepped the hominization debate and declared that the fetus, "although not ensouled, is directed to the forming of man. Therefore, its ejection is anticipated homicide" at any stage of pregnancy and incurs excommunication. [10]
Homosexuality
Gio Benitez, an openly gay ABC News anchor, joined a Catholic church in New York City and celebrated his confirmation mass on social media. He said that the special moment was partly inspired by learning more about the late Pope Francis's "legacy of inclusivity" Benitez's husband, Tommy DiDario, served as his sponsor.
After Pope Francis died on April 21, Benitez was inspired by Father James Martin’s appearance on GMA, who talked about the church leader’s more progressive views. The late Pope famously said, "Who am I to judge?" when speaking about gay people in 2013. [11]
In fact Pope Francis allowed priests to bless same-sex couples. A church official said the blessings amounted to "a real development" that nevertheless did not amend "the traditional doctrine of the church about marriage." [12]
This is complete change from Pope Benedict XVI's approval of a Vatican instruction that barred men with "deep-seated" homosexual tendencies or those who support "gay culture" from entering the Roman Catholic priesthood.
End Notes
[01] Papal Infallibility. Catholic Answers. https://www.catholic.com/tract/papal-infallibility
[02] Dogmatic Constitution On The Church. Lumen Gentium. Solemnly Promulgated By His Holiness Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964. https://tinyurl.com/mukhe97t
[03] Papal Infallibility. Catholic Answers. https://www.catholic.com/tract/papal-infallibility
[04] John F. Walvoord. The Present Work of Christ in Heaven (Part 2). Bible.org.
https://bible.org/seriespage/4-present-work-christ-heaven-part-2
[05] Papal Infallibility. Catholic Answers. https://www.catholic.com/tract/papal-infallibility
[06] David Guzik https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-16/
[07] Papal Infallibility. Catholic Answers. https://www.catholic.com/tract/papal-infallibility
[08] Ineffabilis Deus. The Immaculate Conception. Pope BI. Pius IX - 1854
https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius09/p9ineff.htm
[09] Apostolic Constitution Of Pope Pius XII. Munificentissimus Deus. Defining The Dogma Of The Assumption. November 1, 1950. https://tinyurl.com/mykkxj33
[10] John L. Allen Jr. Under Vatican ruling, abortion triggers automatic excommunication.
https://www.natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives/011703/011703d.htm
[11] Sam Gillette. November 11, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/46jxusp8
[12] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/world/europe/pope-gay-lesbian-same-sex-blessing.html
The Fallibility of Papal Infallibility
Jason Engwer
It is abundantly clear by reading the Catholic apologists that they will not accept any evidence that overturns papal infallibility. No matter how badly a Pope has erred - morally, doctrinally, or otherwise - no charge against papal infallibility will ever stick. It would save us a lot of time if Catholic apologists will simply admit this. In reality, this is nothing short of historical gymnastics and wishful reconstructions at best - and blatant dishonesty at worst." - Eric Svendsen, Evangelical Answers (Atlanta, Georgia: New Testament Restoration Foundation, 1997), p. 34
There are a lot of disagreements about when Popes are infallible and when they aren't. The First Vatican Council and other recent Catholic sources that have claimed infallibility for the Pope have been interpreted in different ways by different people. Catholics don't agree with each other about papal infallibility, and non-Catholics also disagree over how to interpret the doctrine. Since Popes have often erred, some Catholic apologists have claimed that papal infallibility has only been exercised twice: the Immaculate Conception decree of Pope Pius IX in 1854 and the Assumption of Mary decree of Pope Pius XII in 1950.(See Above)
However, even those decrees have errors in them. For example, in the Immaculate Conception decree, Pope Pius IX referred to Mary as the crusher of Satan's head in Genesis 3:15. That interpretation was derived from a mistranslation of the passage that was part of Catholic Bibles for centuries. The crusher of Satan's head in Genesis 3:15 is actually masculine, not feminine. There's no reason to believe that Mary is the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15, contrary to what Pope Pius IX wrote in the Immaculate Conception decree.
IPS. The verse says
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." (Genesis 3:15 BSB)
In other words, the real battle is between Satan and the Seed of the Woman ie. the Messiah. See Does Mary's Foot Crush Satan's Head? In Mary- Queen of Heaven?
Because of such errors, some Catholics claim that not even the Immaculate Conception and Assumption of Mary decrees are infallible. Only some parts of those decrees are exercises of papal infallibility. Other Catholics argue that Popes have exercised papal infallibility more often. However the doctrine is defined, there's no evidence that Popes have any power of infallibility, and the Catholic Church's failure to further define the doctrine reflects that. The Catholic Church has been vague on this issue for obvious reasons.
While the Catholic Church tries to avoid responsibility for papal errors by defining papal infallibility in a vague way, it demands obedience to the Pope at all times, as though every word coming from his mouth is infallible. The Catholic Church thereby avoids responsibility while commanding obedience. It can err repeatedly, yet still claim infallibility, and demand obedience at all times, even when it's erring. For example, the Second Vatican Council taught ("Dogmatic Constitution on the Church", no. 25, emphasis mine):
This loyal submission of the will and intellect must be given, in a special way, to the authentic teaching authority of the Roman Pontiff, even when he does not speak ex cathedra in such wise, indeed, that his supreme teaching authority be acknowledged with respect, and that one sincerely adhere to decisions made by him. [01]
Nobody knows just when the Pope supposedly is speaking infallibly and when he isn't, and he's to be obeyed even when he isn't speaking infallibly. This reasoning allows the Roman Catholic Church to derive all of the benefits of claiming infallibility, such as having hundreds of millions of people obey it, while avoiding the responsibilities of claiming infallibility.
Even the Catholic apologists who claim that papal infallibility has only been exercised twice often cite papal infallibility on other issues. They're inconsistent.
To avoid the implications of papal errors such as Liberius' support of Arianism and Honorius' support of Monothelitism, Catholics will argue that papal infallibility is defined so narrowly that those papal errors aren't part of that definition.
However, when Catholics are discussing the canon of scripture, for example, they'll claim that a Pope such as Damasus or Innocent infallibly declared what the canon of scripture is. Or when discussing an issue such as the deity of Christ or the Trinity, they'll claim that Popes infallibly settled those matters.
But if papal infallibility has only been exercised twice, how can Catholic apologists claim that the canon of scripture, Christ's deity, the Trinity, etc. have also been infallibly declared? How can they claim that some rulings of Popes and councils are infallible, while others aren't, without having a reasonable and consistent standard by which to make such a distinction?
For example, if Pope Pius IX's Immaculate Conception decree is infallible, why would't Pope Boniface VIII's Unam Sanctam decree, which errs repeatedly, also be infallible? Both decrees were issued by Popes, both decrees define doctrine, and both decrees use authoritative language.
Or when the Fourth Lateran Council dogmatizes transubstantiation, why is that accepted as infallible, while the same council's offering of indulgences to those who participate in a Crusade and "exterminate heretics" isn't accepted as infallible? Catholics are unreasonable and inconsistent in how they define papal infallibility.
See Transubstantiation
The Immaculate Conception
And Purgatory and Indulgences
The doctrine of the papacy, even without papal infallibility, has led to a lot of false doctrine and dishonesty. Millions of people have been deceived into accepting false teaching because they believed that the Pope has apostolic authority.
Popes have brought about all sorts of false doctrines, persecutions, and wars. Incalculable amounts of time and effort have been spent arguing back and forth about the papacy, papal infallibility, and related subjects. A lot of people have given their reputations, their lives, and even their souls to defending the doctrine of the papacy. As Charles Hodge wrote, regarding papal infallibility:
We know that when Christ was on earth men did not believe or obey him. We know that when the Apostles were still living, and their authority was still confirmed by signs, and wonders, and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, the Church was distracted by heresies and schisms.
If any in their sluggishness are disposed to think that a perpetual body of infallible teachers would be a blessing, all must admit that the assumption of infallibility by the ignorant, the erring, and the wicked, must be an evil inconceivably great. The Romish theory, if true, might be a blessing; if false, it must be an awful curse. (cited in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom [Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1998], Vol. I, p. 171)
Pope Sixtus V, The Pope Who Rewrote the Bible
During the Counter Reformation, the hastily translated Bible by Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590) was so filled with errors, omissions and deformities of the text, that it was hastily recalled after his death by embarrassed Roman cardinals. But the damage was done. Sixtus V had formally taught that the defective edition was to be the only Bible used for the entire Church
This botched revision of the Latin Vulgate Bible had so many errors that Cardinal Robert Bellarmine had to intervene to somehow mitigate the resultant adverse critical reaction.
The Papal Bull Aeternus ille was issued by Pope Sixtus V in May 1590 to proclaim the authenticity and standard authority of the newly printed Sixtine Vulgate Bible. in it he "forbids all marginal readings in the text, orders that all liturgical books be corrected in accordance with his edition, and declares to be without authority all other Latin texts. The constitution closes with the usual formula of promulgation, with an excommunication upon those who should dare infringe the bull, and is signed: "Rome, at S. Maria Maggiore, A. D. 1589, the Kalends of March, the fifth year of our pontificate."
End Notes
[01] Dogmatic Constitution On The Church. Lumen Gentium. Solemnly Promulgated By His Holiness Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964. https://tinyurl.com/mukhe97t
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