Some of these “encycl-bites” are wonderful. Others are gobbledygook. Others suggest hidden assumptions that are in error.
I don't like to parse the encyclicals of popes, but it may be that Mr. Weigel is right, and part of this document was actually written by Pope Benedict, while other parts were written by the “Justice and Peace” crowd and left in to appease the dopes in the audience.
sitetest
I don't like to parse the encyclicals of popes, but it may be that Mr. Weigel is right, and part of this document was actually written by Pope Benedict, while other parts were written by the “Justice and Peace” crowd and left in to appease the dopes in the audience.
I am told that encyclicals technically aren't made ex cathedra, and therefore the possibility exists of doctrinal error - in addition to the possibility of political and economic errors. I have been told that there have only been a handful of ex cathedra statements in the history of the Church (remembering that infallible teachings must by definition be on dogma and doctrine), and if I'm right, this ain't one of them!
I'm glad to see that one of the FRCatholics has the guts to question the more egregious recommendations made here. I'm afraid that all too many Catholics push their admiration of the Pope into idol worship, believing that the Pope speaks impeccably in all matters. As one FReeper explained it to me years ago, "papal impeccability is not a Catholic dogma."