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What does ex cathedra mean in Roman Catholic teaching?
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papal infallibility
In 1869 Pope Pius XI (center) convened an assembly of bishops that became known as the First Vatican Council (or Vatican I). The council declared the dogmas of papal primacy and papal infallibility before the assembly was suspended indefinitely in 1870.
In Roman Catholic teaching, "ex cathedra" is a Latin phrase meaning "from the chair". It refers to solemn pronouncements made by the Pope when he is acting as the supreme teacher and leader of the Catholic Church. These pronouncements are made in his official capacity and are intended to be binding on all the laity regarding matters of faith or morals. According to the doctrine of papal infallibility, when a Pope speaks ex cathedra under these specific conditions, he cannot err. This doctrine was officially defined as dogma in 1870 during the First Vatican Council.123456