Well, I was responding on this very thread to terycarl, who has stated:
“That having been said, the church itself, not individual members, is protected from error bu the Holy Spirrit.....the pope, bishops, priests, altar boys, nuns....etc. can err and be sinful.....the Church can’t!!.” in Post #81
So, there is the “Church never makes mistakes”, as it sounds to me.
Also, there is this, in Post #114:
“...in the 2013 year history of the Catholic Church, it has never taught anything in opposition to the teachings of Christ.....NEVER.”
Although he’s since walked that back to say he just meant the couple of teaching that have been pronounced ex cathedra, and not really everything the church has taught, even though that is not what he wrote.
That's true. But it also illustrates the problem with saying "the Church" this and that, without explaining exactly what you mean and how it's defined in this context.
Half the poorly-catechized Catholics --- let alone the other baffled brethren --- don't know whether you mean "the USCCB" or "L'Osservatore Romano" or "papal diplomacy" or "the Vatican's policy" (by which they mean, sometimes,the editorial tilt of L'Osservatore Romano) or "Pope Urban VIII's opinions on heliocentrism" or "the #@%# Diocesan Marriage Tribunal I had to tangle with back in the 1980's."
Best to say something like "the teachings which are de fide doctrines of the Catholic Church are free from error." Those who are actually interested in the truth, will inquire further; those who are actually not, will reach for another intellectual Cheez Doodle and go on to some other topic. Fine. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Tagline's for all to ponder, from Holy Scripture:
Thanks, Boogieman, for taking the time and care to provide the actual quotes, and promptly, too. I appreciate that.
I back off from NOTHING....the Catholic church, in 2013 years of existance has NEVER issued an official (ex cathedra) statement that was in error!!!!if you think I'm wrong....point out the statement!