Catholics, how do you know whether a particular Catholic teaching is an infallible unchangeable doctrine or a fallible teaching?

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For example, limbo was taught to laity consistently by saints like st Augustine, even several popes releasing statements about it since middle ages. It even appeared in catechism till 1990. But suddenly, I think in 2007 it was abolished. The excuse given was it was never an official doctrine. Then what about contraception ? How do you know whether ban on contraception is an infallible teaching? How do you know it is a dogma ? 1000 years from now the Vatican may release a statement that it is no longer true. Where is mentioned that certain teachings are unchangeable and other teachings are changeable

Johathan Wehner · Accepted Answer

There are only two infallible (ex-Cathedra) teachings. A) The bodily assumption of Mary into heavenB) The immaculate conceptionAll the rest is doctrine.

Johathan Wehner · Answer

Compare it with bible teaching…. Those you have mentioned are not bible teaching, but teachings of man. Anything more than this can be summed up in 1 scriptures:(Galatians 1:8, 9) . . .However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, I now say again, Whoever is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted, let him be accursed.

Johathan Wehner · Answer

Catholicism follows many anti Christian practices.

Johathan Wehner · Answer

The Church will let you know. You’re not supposed to think about that kind of thing for yourself.

Johathan Wehner · Answer

Just because individuals teach something doesn’t mean it’s doctrine. The Church never taught limbo. Augustine shacked up with a woman for decades and had at least one child. He then “saw the light” and blamed women for his sins. Contraception stops the NATURAL act of conceiving/creating human life. Why wouldn’t an entity who believes that God is responsible for creating human life be against it? It is NOT doctrine however. You need to learn the difference. Most women who are Catholic that I know, including myself, have used the pill. Doctrine goes to the heart of why the religion exists. Neither limbo or contraception do that.

Haylie Ernser DVM

Catholics, how do you know whether a particular Catholic teaching is an infallible unchangeable doctrine or a fallible teaching?

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