Thanks Marsha, I intended to continue listening later, maybe I'll do it tomorrow.
You're saying that this "distinction" has been used in other councils and you specifically mention Trent.
Well, TKGS, you're right that there seems to be much confusion and disagreement about this point. But I think you might yourself agree with what Bishop Sanborn said. Did you watch the interview?
I believe you think you understand the distinction, but I've read parts of an English translation of docuмents of Trent
What of the example I gave earlier? If we take a look at Trent's sessions
here, in most of the sessions, we'll see after the dogmatic part, and usually immediately following the canons with anathemas attached, there is a portion entitled "decree on reformation" where the fathers get to work implementing what they prudently judge to be in the best interests of the flock committed to their pastoral care.
How's this for a working definition? What is dogmatic concerns mostly what is revealed and must be believed by faith whereas what is pastoral concerns mostly those prudential decisions that would best help the cause of the faith.
Some theologians distinguish between an assent of faith and an assent of prudence.
I understand there will be some necessary overlap between the two here and there, as in what we think of the necessity of the Church will affect how we regard the importance of the missionary endeavor, yet different Catholics who fully accept the faith on this point, may yet disagree as to the prudential decision of how best to go about this.
I think it's a very critical question you raise. Because the degree or nature of the Magisterium invoked has a lot to do with what level of protection is guaranteed, since everyone grants at least that the universal episcopate was assembled there, and what level of accuracy is to be expected in the docuмents.
It would be an error to expect the same exactness that we would expect from a dogmatic pronouncement in a purely pastoral docuмent.
As for the next point you brought up, here is Pope Paul VI,
In view of the pastoral nature of the Council, it avoided proclaiming in an extraordinary manner any dogma carrying the mark of infallibility.
God bless.