Papal Infallibility Explained

Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle unpack Church history, explain papal theology, highlight the importance of Rome, and the importance of St. Peter. They also explain papal infallibility, what it is and what it is not. 

Snippet from the Show

"So the Pope is supposed to be this thing of unity amongst the communion of the bishops, but he is not supposed to be the CEO of a bunch of franchises and that is an ugly way to view the Church."

Shownotes

Since, however, it would be very tedious, in such a volume as this, to reckon up the successions of all the Churches, we do put to confusion all those who, in whatever manner, whether by an evil self-pleasing, by vainglory, or by blindness and perverse opinion, assemble in unauthorized meetings; [we do this, I say,] by indicating that tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul…For it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church, on account of its pre-eminent authority. (St. Irenaus)

With a false bishop appointed for themselves by heretics, they dare even to set sail and carry letters from schismatics and blasphemers to the chair of Peter and to the principal Church, in which sacerdotal unity has its source… (Letter of St. Cyprian to St. Pope Cornelius)

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.”... After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us. He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them… After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name… It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath. (Acts 15:1, 7-12, 13-14, 19-21)

Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin.For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12)