Discrimination in the Catholic Church

[Songbird]

The results of ecumenical councils, universal and ordinary tradition when recognized as such and the ex-cathedra statements of the Pope.

Okay, so more than just ex-cathedra teachings are considered infallible?

AmericanCatholic.org said not all ecumenical council results are infallible. But there seems to be disagreement among Catholics about exactly what is.

No. The male priesthood is dogma. It was declared infallible.

Okay.

Could you give an example? Sometimes people misunderstands things like priestly celibacy(see below), which is a discipline and not a doctrine, or limbo, which was never a doctrine of the Church just a widely held belief.

I may be misunderstanding like you suggested. I don't know the differences between declarations, doctrines, catechisms, etc. But I'm just curious about the issue of infallibility. So here's an example:

According to various websites, popes have variously defended, endorsed, participated in, made into canon law, condemned, forbidden, and decried slavery.

From: Is Cannon Law guaranteed to be infallible? - Catholic Answers Forums

"Canon law is concerned with discipline. Infallibility has to do with faith and morals. So of it self, canon law is not infallible. However, insofar as canon law deals with matters that the Church considers infallible, then such content is infallible. Whether the content of canon law is infallible or not, Catholics are obliged to obey it because it is an expression of the authority the Church has received from Christ, Himself."

Whether considered doctrine or discipline, it seems very clear there were several times throughout history that slavery was strongly endorsed papally. Today it is strongly condemned. Polar opposite church teachings.

 

[kepha31]

Okay, so more than just ex-cathedra teachings are considered infallible?

AmericanCatholic.org said not all ecumenical council results are infallible. But there seems to be disagreement among Catholics about exactly what is.

The Infallibility of the Pope and the Magisterium | The American Catholic is a good explanation of infallibility, but there are more simplified explanations. Infallibility is a complex issue and not all Catholics know everything about their faith. A full description is found in CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Infallibility but it's a bit dry.

I may be misunderstanding like you suggested. I don't know the differences between declarations, doctrines, catechisms, etc. But I'm just curious about the issue of infallibility.

According to various websites, popes have variously defended, endorsed, participated in, made into canon law, condemned, forbidden, and decried slavery.

This non-Catholic web site gives a good explanation of slavery and the Church. The Truth About the Catholic Church and Slavery | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction Even if it were true (defended, endorsed, participated in slavery), it has nothing to do with infallibility. You need to use a little discernment. Most "Bible Christian" websites when it comes to the Catholic Church, preach nothing but falsehoods.

Whether considered doctrine or discipline, it seems very clear there were several times throughout history that slavery was strongly endorsed papally. Today it is strongly condemned. Polar opposite church teachings.

Again, you need to be careful where you get your information. Their best worst example is Pope Innocent VIII.

"It is true that some popes did not observe the moral obligation to oppose slavery—indeed, in 1488 Pope Innocent VIII accepted a gift of a hundred Moorish slaves from King Ferdinand of Aragon, giving some of them to his favorite cardinals. Of course, Innocent was anything but that when it came to a whole list of immoral actions. However, laxity must not be confused with doctrine. Thus while Innocent fathered many children, he did not retract the official doctrine that the clergy should be celibate. In similar fashion, his acceptance of a gift of slaves should not be confused with official Church teachings. These were enunciated often and explicitly as they became pertinent." Christianity Today in the above link.