The doctrines of the catholic church have been determined by a succession of popes and conferences (known as councils - Lateran Council, Vatican Council, etc), going way back before the infallibility thing was decided some 140 years ago. Those who challenge the church line are not "loyal opposition" but heretics.

The church reserves the right to change its mind on anything - for instance on the question of buying salvation through indulgences, limbo, etc. But anyone who challenges its line on any matter of faith, whatever the line happens to be at that moment, is always wrong.

Rather than leave these matters to chance, they are entrusted to a Vatican quango that has been known as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith ever since the term "inquisition" got a bad press.

If I may say so Mick, such a rigorous framwork does not seem well matched to your free thinking, and I would be suprised if you are signed up to it because you searched it out from various options. If you are in it because that's what you were born into, it might be worth looking at what some other religions involve - still Christian, if that's where your faith is.

But if you go that course, be prepared to have fire and brimstone poured on you by the One True Church, which has shown again this week that its sheer intolerance of all other creeds.