The Pope is not always infallible

I was watching a report, on one of the major TV networks, about the deepening scandal in the Church. The bingo-caller concluded his standup thus: "Catholics believe the Pope is infallible", the implication being that the failure of Cardinal Ratzinger (as he then was) to defrock an evil priest proves he is not infallible. The "reporter" is quite wrong.

First of all, the dogma of papal infallibility applies only to a reigning pope. It does not extend retroactively to say that the man's life and career, up to the point of his election, was unblemished. The Pope is the Vicar of Christ, but he is only human.

Secondly, infallibility has to do with things the Pope says, under certain conditions. It does not mean that a pope can never make a mistake of any kind. Again, he's only human. If the Pope looks out the window in the morning and says "I think it's going to rain", and it doesn't, that doesn't prove he's fallible.

To be clear, the Pope is only infallible when

• he is making a statement or pronouncement on a matter of faith or morals
• he is speaking from his throne (ex cathedra), and
• when he says that he is speaking infallibly, in his position and with his authority as pope.

Everybody clear now? You're welcome.