ex cathedra

Unam Sanctam (1302) and Unigenitus (1713)
Let us briefly mention two other case of problematic applications of the concept of infallibility. We have already mentioned the famous bull Unam Sanctam.
Before Vatican II, it was typically considered Ex-Cathedra. As we have seen, other popes had expressed the same idea in more or less definitive documents. In the context of Unam Sanctam, Pope Boniface had the (Greek) Orthodox in mind:
Therefore, if the Greeks or others should say that they are not confided to Peter and to his successors, they must confess not being the sheep of Christ, since Our Lord says in John “there is one sheepfold and one shepherd.”
The bull concludes with this powerful and unambiguous statement:

Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff. Notice the similarity of language with the 1854 Papal proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, universally recognized as infallible by modern Roman Catholics:
We declare, we proclaim, we define...
This leads us to several questions that we leave unanswered:
Was Unam Sanctam Ex-Cathedra? Does the Roman Catholic Church still teach that “it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff ?” and if no, why not? A few words should also be said about the controversial bull Unigenitus.
It does not bear the five marks of an Ex-Cathedra statement but it is worth studying because of these words for Pope Benedict XIV: The authority of the apostolic constitution which begins with the word

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Unigenitus is certainly so great and lays claim everywhere to such sincere veneration and obedience that no one can withdraw the submission due it or oppose it without risking the loss of eternal salvation.

And yet, Unigenitus condemns such ideas as: LXX. The reading of the Holy Scriptures is for all Again, we must realize that Orthodox prelates and synods have also condemned the private reading of the Holy Scriptures, a fact that shows the possible tension between ecclesiastical obedience and one’s own discerning of God’s commands.

 

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Basically, Pope Benedict says Catholics are to venerate, obey, and submit to Unigenitus and to oppose it risks loss of eternal salvation. A document that doesn't follow the definition of an ex-cathedra document. I understand that Benedict was probably just speaking his own mind, but for a Pope to say if you oppose the teachings of a document, then you're toast, that's strong words. A document which at the time said there is no salvation if you are not subject to the Roman Pontiff, the Catholic Church...which is a doctrine that has been loosened quite a lot in the last 100+ years or so.

It was news to me that ex-cathedra was not made 'official' until 1800+ years after Pentecost and now that it is official, who chooses to say what Pope made infallible doctrine?