Since there is a lot going on in the Church right now, it's a good time for all of us to understand something very important and very basic: Infallibility.
There is more than one kind (or level) of infallibility in the Church.
The Magisterium (i.e., the teaching authority of the Church) can exercise infallibility in two basic ways:
1. The "extraordinary Magisterium"
2. The "ordinary and universal Magisterium"
The exercise of the "extraordinary Magisterium" is the one we hear about most. This is when the Pope acts on his own, pronouncing and defining doctrine ex cathedra, or "from the Chair" of Peter. This has happened with two Marian doctrines--the Immaculate Conception of Mary and the Bodily Assumption of Mary. (These doctrines were already true and believed before the pope declared them, by the way. Popes do not ever "make up" new doctrines.)
The exercise of the "ordinary and universal Magisterium" is less dramatic but more common. It is the teaching of the whole body of bishops, in union with the pope. When the bishops and pope speak and teach definitively on something (for example in an ecumenical council) they are teaching infallibly. The day-to-day teachings of the Church, confirmed and reaffirmed throughout the centuries (taught "always and everywhere"), fall into this category of infallible teachings. "God exists" would be one such infallibly taught doctrine (pretty basic and general!), as would the prohibition of abortion and contraception (never has the Church sanctioned either one).
Like I said, I'm keeping it simple!
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