Dear Rick,

There is no place in either Scripture or Church teaching that states this. If the Church were simply a human institution what you mention would make sense. Human being in themselves are very fallible but God wanted salvation accessible to everyone — and faith and morals are necessary for salvation.

Therefore, regarding matters of faith and morals the Holy Spirit, who is the soul and essence of the Church, endows the Magisterium (the pope and the bishops in union with him) with the gift of infallibility on matters of faith and morals, keeping Her from teaching error.

Paul

Hi Rick,

Paul's answer was spot on. That said, if you meant to say:

• Is there a section in the Catholic Catechism that states something along the line that the Church does not know everything about God?

That would be different. There are many mysteries in the Church that no pope or popes will ever be able to explain, like being able to give a complete catecheses on the Trinity.

Because we are finite, limited people, we can never totally understand certain teachings.

Nevertheless, in these cases, science, philosophy, and theology can tell believers certain truths about God and His Divine Providence up to the limitations of their minds. The rest we accept on the faith of the Church handed down by Jesus through the Pope and Apostles. (Ephesians 2:20)

I hope this helps,

Mike