Some magisterial texts speak of the Magisterium as being infallible or unblemished or similar terms. Yet we know from other texts of the Magisterium that many teachings and decisions of discipline are non-infallible (see Donum Veritatis for example). So how are we to reconcile these texts?

My understanding is that the infallible teachings of the Magisterium are free from all error, by the guarantee of the Holy Spirit. This charism of infallibility is individually present in the Pope, and also resides in the body of Bishops, only as a body acting with its head, the Pope. The infallibility that the faithful are said to have is again only as a body, led by and taught by the Pope and the body of Bishops led by him. But while the Pope and Bishops are teachers and shepherds, the rest of the faithful are taught and guided. They cannot claim that the charism of infallibility of the faithful as a body allows them to define doctrines or to oppose the teachings of their Shepherds.

Vatican II, LG 12: “12. The holy people of God shares also in Christ’s prophetic office; it spreads abroad a living witness to Him, especially by means of a life of faith and charity and by offering to God a sacrifice of praise, the tribute of lips which give praise to His name.(110) The entire body of the faithful, anointed as they are by the Holy One,(111) cannot err in matters of belief. They manifest this special property by means of the whole peoples’ supernatural discernment in matters of faith when “from the Bishops down to the last of the lay faithful” (8*) they show universal agreement in matters of faith and morals. That discernment in matters of faith is aroused and sustained by the Spirit of truth. It is exercised under the guidance of the sacred teaching authority, in faithful and respectful obedience to which the people of God accepts that which is not just the word of men but truly the word of God.(112) Through it, the people of God adheres unwaveringly to the faith given once and for all to the saints,(113) penetrates it more deeply with right thinking, and applies it more fully in its life.”

As for the non-infallible teachings of the Magisterium, these participate in the charism of infallibility to a certain extent. Non-infallible teachings are free from all grave error; the degree and type of errors possible are limited by the Holy Spirit, so that the Ark of Salvation will never lead us away from salvation, and so that the body of Christ will never betray its Head, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This guarantee of freedom from grave error is a type of participation in the charism of infallibility. Similarly, the assent due to non-infallible teachings, religious assent, is related to the assent of faith required of infallible teachings. So while non-infallible teachings do not have the full freedom from all error of infallible teachings, and do not require full assent of faith, they have a guarantee of freedom from all grave error and do require ordinary assent.

So one charism protects the faithful from error, in two ways: what is infallible is free from all error, and what is non-infallible is free from all grave error. This applies only to authentic exercises of the Magisterium, especially by the Pope, or the body of Bishops with the Pope.

Ronald L Conte Jr