What does it mean for a human
being to be vested with infallibility in a religious organization even though
like all humans, that one is a finite being? Ironically, it is often the ignorant
who presume that they cannot be wrong (i.e., that they are infallible). That is
something else entirely. The sort of infallibility granted by the Roman
Catholic Church on its pope does not mean that he knows everything or can’t be
wrong about anything. The infallibility is circumscribed to cover only religious
doctrine. In short, Roman Catholicism gives the Pope the authority to
promulgate theological truths that go beyond, yet are consistent with, the Bible.
A pope cannot say that Jesus is no longer to be regarded as the Son of God, for
such a claim obviously contradicts the canonical gospels. Yet more could be
said that is consistent with Jesus’ divinity, and even about Mary, whose womb
is regarded as blessed. The “Mother of God” is itself a title that practically
invites further theological elaboration beyond the material on her that is in the Gospels. I
have in mind here the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is celebrated by the
Roman Catholic Church on August 15 annually. The feast-day is not a minor holy day for
Catholics, for they are obligated to attend Mass.
The full essay is at "The Assumption of Mary."
