ABSTRACT
The possibility of an infallible ordinary teaching is explicitly taught by the Council, which in this as in everything else reproduces traditional doctrine.
Although the individual bishops do not enjoy the prerogative of infallibility, they can nevertheless teach infallibly. That is so, even when they are dispersed around the world, provided that while maintaining the bond of unity among themselves and with Peter’s successor, and while teaching authentically on a matter of faith and morals, they concur in a single viewpoint as the one which must be held conclusively. (LG no.25).11 …
The Catholic theologian does not cease to be a believer when he knows and has to bear in mind that Jesus has appointed a particular class of baptised persons who are endowed with a special supernatural charism to be the teachers and leaders of the Christian people, of all believers. He also knows that this universal magisterium of the Episcopal body or of the Roman pontiff rightfully has the office and authority to transmit the faith integrally and to guard it from error, and to pronounce the final word in the name of Christ in matters of faith and morals.
