Are the Popes Infallible?

ALL good Roman Catholics believe that the pope is infallible and cannot err or make a mistake when issuing decrees on faith and morals.

The Pope Is Not Infallible

IT WAS not until the Vatican Council of 1870 that the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Vatican City was declared to be infallible when he speaks officially as head of the church on faith and morals.

If Peter was an infallible pope, how is it that he showed up so many times to be in error?

Just a few moments after Christ spoke the words of Matthew 16:18, Peter appeared far from infallible; and Jesus had to rebuke him, saying: “Get behind me, Satan!

Catholicism also claims that the pope is infallible in matters of doctrine when he speaks ex cathedra, or in an official capacity.

I believed this and thought that if the pope, whom Catholics call Holy Father, is infallible in doctrinal matters and has proclaimed the Trinity to be true, then it must be true.

The Creator gave the lower animals an infallible guide in instincts and has also supplied all our material needs.

Is it not reasonable to expect that he would also supply our spiritual needs, give us also an infallible guide, informing us as to what is right and what is wrong, why we are here, what our destiny is to be?

12. Since the Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible, what questions arise?

¹² The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible.

Since the Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible, what questions arise?

It is clear, too, that Peter was not infallible.

The fact that Peter was wrong on this matter involving faith and morals and also that Paul felt free to correct him publicly shows that Peter was not looked to as an “infallible” head of the apostles or of the early church. (Gal. 2:11-14)

He endowed all the lower animals with infallible instincts to guide them, did he not?

Certainly, then, he would also provide an infallible guide for man, and that he did in his Word, the Bible.

As Jesus respected God’s Word and used it to guide his life, so now the Word of God provides an infallible guide that will enable his followers to find their way through this dark system of things, even past its disastrous end into a new system of things, into a perfect “new earth” where righteousness is to dwell!—2 Pet. 3:13.

But God’s infallible Word promises a happy future for obedient mankind.

Since the judgment of right and wrong varies in different places and is subject to change and conflict, conscience cannot be considered an infallible guide in every case.

The conscience is not automatic; it is not infallible.

In regard to how the truth is brought forth through Jehovah’s organization, please note that if the Watch Tower Society were infallible there would be no need for future correction of viewpoints held; but because it is not infallible and has never claimed to be, from time to time corrections are necessary.

July 17, 1952 Are Popes Fallible or March 15, 1952

Infallible?

July 24 Are Popes Fallible or March 15, 1952

Infallible?

The wicked appear to flourish now as never before, and God’s infallible Word says: “When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever.

Believe in the infallible Word of God and follow it.

Astonishing as it is, both are recognized as infallible links in the papal chain!

And so they ridiculously hold on to this rusty chain of murderers, robbers and whoremongers, teaching the preposterous lie that such sons of the Devil were chosen by God as His infallible representatives.

It may be true, as you say, that one Roman Catholic pope banned blood transfusion; and yet another pope, claimed to be just as infallible as the other, tried blood transfusion causing the death of the donors, and today Roman Catholics likewise resort to the same medical practice.

We do not know why Catholics reject the ban of an infallible pope, but our position against transfusion is not dictated by the ban of that pope; our appeal is to the Holy Scriptures.

13. What could happen if the conscience is not trained?

¹³ The conscience is not an infallible guide.

What a privilege it is to be guided by the infallible wisdom found in the Bible!

19, 20. Why should we trust Jehovah’s reminders, and how do we benefit from doing so?

¹⁹ Today, we have ample reasons for putting trust in Jehovah’s reminders, contained in his infallible Word, the Bible. (Read Joshua 23:14.)

God’s loyal servants who have died, as well as others, are in Jehovah’s infallible memory and will be resurrected. (John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15)