Orthodox= Schismatics?

[zunshynn]

If papal infallibility is a dogma, why are the Orthodox not considered heretics?

[Cam42]

Because they do not meet the criteria, to be formal heretics. The orignal dissenters who created the schism would be heretical, however, the members of the Orthodox Church cannot be held accountable for their sins.

The Orthodox, can at best, be considered material heretics, which implies that they do not AUTHENTICALLY know that they are in disagreement with the Church.

They have been taught for almost 1000 years that they are correct. So, the criteria for formal heresy does not apply to them.

Here is the distinction: a "formal" heretic rejects the Church and its teaching absolutely and with full deliberation; a "material" heretic rejects the Church from lack of knowledge, being influenced by false prejudice or by an anti-Catholic upbringing.

So, the Orthodox don't fill the criteria to be considered formal heretics. With that being said, one doesn't normally refer to a material heretic as a heretic.

Also, it is more proper to regard the Orthodox as schismatic, because of their the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.