Name:   MartiniMan - Subject:   Had to read this one and its a good question Date:   6/26/2015 9:53:38 AM

Here's how it works Archie and I'm glad you asked because papal infallibility is the most misunderstood and misrepresented aspect of the Catholic Church.  Catholics are obligated to follow the Pope only on matters of faith and morals and only when he speaks ex cathedra (i.e., from the chair of Peter) in conjunction with the Magesterium (all the Cardinals and Bishops).  On matters of faith and morals speaking ex cathedra he is considered infallible.  In its 2,000 year history a Pope has only used papal infallibility seven times, the latest being in 1950 when the Pope Pius XII defined the perpetual virginity of Mary as an infallible teaching of the Church.  But if the Pope says the sun rises in the west and sets in the east he is wrong.

On all other matters Catholics can in good faith dissent with the Pope's teaching although they should not do so lightly.  For example, Saint Pope John Paul II wrote a lot about capital punishment and why it should be opposed.  But he also acknowledged that Catholics can in good conscience disagree with his views.  I for one read what he wrote and found it compelling and no longer believe we should have capital punishment.  But I readily acknowledge that those that believe in it have very valid arguments and I do not fault them for their views on this issue.

As for your comment about the Right, I think this is a very bipartisan issue.  Don't think for a minute that the left who love Pope Francis because he appears to agree with them on the issue of climate change will likewise embrace him when he reaffirms the Church's teaching on social issues like gay marriage, abortion, etc.  They will not suddenly accept his teachings on those issues because he happens to agree with them on climate change.  Sort of like SCOTUS, we all (conservatives, liberals, independents, libertarinas) love them when they come out with a ruling we like and think they are the devil when they do the opposite.  That is a bipartisan reaction and not just the purvue of one belief system.  Human nature.........