View synonyms for ex cathedra

ex cathedra

[ eks kuh-thee-druh, kath-i-druh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

from the seat of authority; with authority: used especially of those pronouncements of the pope that are considered infallible.

ex cathedra

/ ɛks kəˈθiːdrə /

with authority
RC Church (of doctrines of faith or morals) defined by the pope as infallibly true, to be accepted by all Catholics

ex cathedra

Descriptive term for an official pronouncement from the pope . Ex cathedra is Latin for “from the chair.” Roman Catholics believe that the pope speaks infallibly when speaking ex cathedra on questions of faith or morals, such as when Pope Pius XII declared in 1950 that Mary, the mother of Jesus , was physically taken up to heaven after her death.

Figuratively, any authoritative pronouncement may be called “ex cathedra.”

First recorded in 1810–20, ex cathedra is from Latin ex cathedrā literally, “from the chair”

Latin, literally: from the chair

The one thing apparently impossible to him was to speak ex cathedra from heights of scientific erudition and attainment.

Their opinions are given with an ex cathedra air that seems to exclude any appeal against them.

The rationalistic philosophy of the Spanish Jews was there proclaimed ex cathedra.

The pope when teaching ex cathedra acts as head of the whole episcopal body and of the whole Church.

But when does the pope speak ex cathedra, and how is it to be distinguished when he is exercising his infallibility?

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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