Pastor Aeternus
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Pastor aeternus is a dogmatic constitution from the First Vatican Council in 1870. It defines the doctrine of papal infallibility within Roman Catholic theology. The constitution states that the pope, when speaking ex cathedra (from his chair) as the supreme teacher on matters of faith or morals, cannot err. This doctrine asserts that the pope, as the successor of St. Peter the Apostle, possesses an infallible teaching authority that is irreformable in itself. The definition was a significant development in the understanding of papal authority and remains a key tenet of Catholic doctrine, though it has been a subject of debate.12
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Roman CatholicismPius IX…converged in the doctrinal constitution Pastor aeternus (“Eternal Shepherd”), promulgated by the First Vatican Council (commonly called Vatican I) on July 18, 1870. It asserted that
Read More…converged in the doctrinal constitution Pastor aeternus (“Eternal Shepherd”), promulgated by the First Vatican Council (commonly called Vatican I) on July 18, 1870. It asserted that
Read More- Roman CatholicismEarly-modern and modern views of papal authority
…part of its dogmatic constitution Pastor aeternus. Having asserted as a matter of faith the primacy of Peter and the succession of the popes in that primacy and having quoted in full the Florentine definition, the constitution clarified what was to be understood by “the full power of nourishing, ruling,…
Read More…part of its dogmatic constitution Pastor aeternus. Having asserted as a matter of faith the primacy of Peter and the succession of the popes in that primacy and having quoted in full the Florentine definition, the constitution clarified what was to be understood by “the full power of nourishing, ruling,…
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