"ex cathedra" (Latin)

What does the Latin term ex cathedra mean?

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"Ex cathedra" is a Latin term that means "from the chair" or "from the seat." It refers to a statement or pronouncement made by a person in a position of authority, particularly by a pope speaking infallibly on matters of faith and doctrine within the Catholic Church.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three example sentences using the term "ex cathedra":

The pope declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception ex cathedra, affirming it as an infallible teaching of the Catholic Church.
When speaking ex cathedra, the pontiff's words are considered binding and carry the authority of the highest office in the Church.
Theologians and scholars carefully examine official pronouncements made ex cathedra to discern their theological implications and significance.