[ultima ratio]

"Extrapolating on your last sentence, if you think the (current) Magisterium is out of line with past tradition and teachings, then you believe that Jesus Christ has abandoned the Church, wouldn't that follow?"

Not at all. The Magisterium is not the whole Church. And remember, Vatican I was explicit in stating that the Holy Spirit did not protect papal novelties from error.

[american colleen]

And remember, Vatican I was explicit in stating that the Holy Spirit did not protect papal novelties from error.

And what guides us, as Catholics, to have the grace to know from "papal novelties" (which would be what, btw?)?

Martin Luther thought he knew by the grace of God.
John Calvin thought he knew by the grace of God.
Richard Hooker thought he knew by the grace of God.
John Knox thought he knew by the grace of God.

Ya know what I mean?