Please help me understand the doctrine

[BlueStreak]

We all know the Pope is infallible. But what happens when the Pope resigns. Does he become fallible again?

That doesn't seem quite fair. Isn't he the same man he was yesterday? Why wouldn't he remain infallible?

If you have a new Pope and an ex-Pope, both being infallible, and they disagree about something, which one is right?

And there is no question the Pope was infallible at the moment when he announced his resignation, so his resignation must be part of his infallibility, right? But it wouldn't make any sense for an infallible being to make himself fallible, because that would mean he was never infallible in the first place, or else such a thing wouldn't have been possible.

I'm so confused.

[CurtEastPoint]

1. If he resigns, he's no longer pope. And he's considered 'infallible' ONLY in this instance:

"...the Pope is preserved from the possibility of error[1] "when, in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church".[2]

[BlueStreak]

2. So he is infallible when dealing with ALL Christians?

but he isn't infallible when dealing with Jews, Muslims, or atheists?

Do the Baptists agree about that?

[CurtEastPoint]

3. He speaks only for the RC church and its members.

Of course, many members ignore this doctrine as I am sure most others do as well.

[rug]

5. The infallibility, under specific conditions, applies to defining matters of faith and morals.

Like anything else, anyone is free to take it or leave it. But, if you take it, that is what you take.

[BlueStreak]

7. So are we to understand that it was the will of God that

this Pope continue to protect the priests who had molested so many children? That would seem to fit well under the category heading of "morals".

[rug]

8. No, we are not to understand that.

If you are to understand that, I suggest you realize where you are before proceeding further.

[BlueStreak]

9. Are you threatening to not give me a valentine?

[rug]

10. I am saying it would be my pleasure to block you for violating a safe haven group.

[Brigid]

11. Have you forgotten where you are?

[rug]

4. It's a function of the office, not the person.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibility

It's really pretty straightforward.

[CurtEastPoint]

6. Thanks for helping me out here.