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Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) is a department of the Roman Curia in charge of the religious discipline of the Catholic Church. The Dicastery is the oldest among the departments of the Roman Curia. Its seat is the Palace of the Holy Office in Rome. It was founded to defend the Catholic Church from heresy and is the body responsible for promulgating and defending Catholic doctrine.[1]

This institution was founded by Pope Paul III on 21 July 1542, as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition.[a] It was then renamed in 1908 as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office. In 1965, it became the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF; Latin: Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei). Since 2022, it is named Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.[b] It is still informally known as the Holy Office (Latin: Sanctum Officium) in many Catholic countries.[2] The sole objective of the dicastery is to "spread sound Catholic doctrine and defend those points of Christian tradition which seem in danger because of new and unacceptable doctrines."[1]

Its headquarters are at the Palace of the Holy Office, just outside Vatican City. The congregation employs an advisory board including cardinals, bishops, priests, lay theologians, and canon lawyers. On 1 July 2023, Francis named Argentine archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández as prefect, who took possession of the office in mid-September.[3]

History

Astronomer Galileo Galilei presented before the Holy Office, a 19th-century painting by Joseph-Nicolas Robert-Fleury

On 21 July 1542, Pope Paul III proclaimed the Apostolic Constitution Licet ab initio, establishing the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition, staffed by cardinals and other officials whose task it was "to maintain and defend the integrity of the faith and to examine and proscribe errors and false doctrines." It served as the final court of appeal in trials of heresy and served as an important part of the Counter-Reformation.

This body was renamed the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office in 1908 by Pope Pius X. In many Catholic countries, the body is often informally called the Holy Office (e.g., Italian: Sant'Uffizio and Spanish: Santo Oficio).

The congregation's name was changed to Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (SCDF) on 7 December 1965, at the end of the Second Vatican Council. Soon after the 1983 Code of Canon Law came into effect, the adjective "sacred" was dropped from the names of all Curial Congregations,[c] and so it became the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In 2022, the name was changed to Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Timeline

Role

According to the 1988 Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia, Pastor bonus, article 48, promulgated by John Paul II: "The proper duty of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is to promote and safeguard the doctrine on faith and morals in the whole Catholic world; so it has competence in things that touch this matter in any way."[6]

This includes investigations into grave delicts (i.e., acts which the Catholic Church considers as being the most serious crimes: crimes against the Eucharist and against the sanctity of the Sacrament of Penance, and crimes against the sixth Commandment ("Thou shalt not commit adultery")) committed by a cleric against a person under the age of eighteen. These crimes, in Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela a motu proprio of 2001, come under the competency of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In effect, it is the "promoter of justice" that deals with, among other things, the question of priests accused of paedophilia.[7][16][d]

Within the DDF are the International Theological Commission and the Pontifical Biblical Commission. The Prefect of the DDF is ex officio president of these commissions.[20]

On 7 December 2021, Pope Francis promulgated a new version of the "Norms on the Delicts Reserved to the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith"; the original version had been first promulgated in 2001 by John Paul II and amended in 2010 by Benedict XVI. The changes of the new version concern "harmonising the norms with the revised Book VI of the Code of Canon Law, which was promulgated in May 2021" and adding "numerous normative measures of various kinds issued in previous years, especially since 2016."[21]

Organization

Until 1968, the pope held the title of prefect and appointed a cardinal to preside over the meetings, first as Secretary, then as Pro-Prefect.

Since 1968, the Cardinal head of the dicastery has borne the title of Prefect and the title of Secretary refers to the second highest-ranking officer of the Congregation. As of 2012 the Congregation had a membership of 18 cardinals and a smaller number of non-cardinal bishops, a staff of 38 (clerical and lay) and 26 consultors.[22]

The work of the CDF is divided into two sections, the doctrinal and the disciplinary. The CDF holds biennial plenary assemblies, and issues documents on doctrinal, disciplinary, and sacramental questions that occasionally include notifications concerning writings by Catholic theologians.[23]

Recent canonical judgments and publications

The following is a non-exhaustive list of recent documents and judgments issued by the DDF. Lengthy DDF documents usually have Latin titles. A short document that briefly states objections to one or more writings by a Catholic theologian is typically called a "notification".

2021–present

2011–2020

2001–2010

1991–2000

1981–1990

Leadership

Secretaries until 1965

When the Supreme Sacred Congregation for the Roman and Universal Inquisition was first established in 1542, it was composed of several Cardinal Inquisitors styled as "Inquisitors-General", who were formally equal to each other, even if some of them were clearly dominant (e.g. Cardinal Gian Pietro Carafa from 1542, who was elected Pope Paul IV in 1555). Until 1968 the Pope himself presided over the Congregation. However, from 1564 the daily administration of the affairs of the Congregation was entrusted to the Cardinal Secretary.[43][44]: 19–26  This model was retained when the Inquisition was formally renamed as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office in 1908.[45]

Unless stated otherwise, the term of office ended with the officeholder's death.

Prefects since 1965

When Pope Paul VI changed the name of the dicastery on 7 December 1965, he changed the title of the cardinal in charge of the daily administration of the Congregation from Secretary to Pro-Prefect. He continued to reserve the title of Prefect to himself[46] until 1968 when he relinquished his role as head of the Congregation and named a Prefect.[47]

Secretaries since 1965

With the December 1965 reorganization of the Holy Office as the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the head of the Congregation was no longer titled Secretary. The dicastery's second-in-command, until then titled assessor, was then given the title of Secretary, as was already the case with the other Roman Congregations. All but the most recent have been made archbishops upon their appointment. The following have held the title of Secretary:

Present composition

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The names "Roman Inquisition" or "Holy Inquisition" arose from this name, terms later popularly used in reference to the 16th-century tribunals against heresy.
  2. ^ Pope Francis reorganized the Curia with his apostolic constitution on the Roman Curia, titled Praedicate evangelium ("Preach the gospel"), which took effect on 5 June 2022.
  3. ^ It remained in use throughout 1984, as can be seen in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis of that year, but no longer appeared in the 1985 issues of that official bulletin of the Holy See.
  4. ^ The revision of Norms concerning the more grave delicts reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith currently in force is the revision approved by Benedict XVI in 2010.[17][18][19]
  5. ^ Resigned.
  6. ^ Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani, previously Secretary, continued to head the Congregation when it was renamed on 7 December 1965, and his title of Pro-Prefect was confirmed on 8 February 1966. Upon his retirement he was termed Prefect emeritus of the Congregation, and not Pro-Prefect emeritus.
  7. ^ Since the appointment of Šeper in 1968, the head of the dicastery has the title of Prefect. The Pope no longer holds the office of Prefect of the CDF himself.[47]
  8. ^ Death of Pope John Paul II

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - Profile". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Definition of HOLY OFFICE". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  3. ^ Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office (in Italian), 2023, retrieved 1 July 2023
  4. ^ Benedict XIV (1 June 1741). "Sacramentum poenitentiae" (PDF). richardsipe.com (in Latin and English). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2012. Includes English translation by unknown.
  5. ^ "Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith - Profile". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  6. ^ a b John Paul II (28 June 1988). "Pastor bonus". vatican.va. Articles 48–55. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  7. ^ a b John Paul II (30 April 2001). "Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela". vatican.va. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  8. ^ Wooden, Cindy (11 November 2014). "Pope sets up new body to speed handling of sex abuse appeals". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017.
  9. ^ Povoledo, Elisabetta; Goodstein, Laurie (10 June 2015). "Pope creates tribunal for bishop negligence in child sexual abuse cases". The New York Times. New York. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  10. ^ O'Connell, Gerard (21 April 2018). "Pope Francis appoints three women as consultants to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith". America. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Lettera Apostolica in forma di Motu proprio circa la Pontificia Commissione "Ecclesia Dei"". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  12. ^ Allen, Elise Ann (14 February 2022). "Pope restructures Vatican doctrinal office". Crux. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  13. ^ Pope Francis. "Praedicate Evangelium, sulla Curia Romana e il suo servizio alla Chiesa nel Mondo (19 marzo 2022)". Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Article 69. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  14. ^ Pope Francis. "Praedicate Evangelium, sulla Curia Romana e il suo servizio alla Chiesa nel Mondo (19 marzo 2022)". Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Article 78. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  15. ^ "Rescriptum ex Audientia S.Smi die 21 octobris 2023". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  16. ^ Scicluna, Charles (13 March 2010). "Promoter of justice at Doctrine of Faith on paedophilia" (Interview). Interviewed by Gianni Cardinale of Avvenire. Vatican City: Vatican Information Service. VIS 20100313 (2070). Translated from "Il «pm» vaticano: «Chiesa rigorosa sulla pedofilia»". Avvenire (in Italian) (Milan, IT: Avvenire Nuova Editoriale Italiana S.p.a.). 13 March 2010.
  17. ^ Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. "The norms of the motu proprio 'Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela' (2001): historical introduction". vatican.va. Archived from the original on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  18. ^ Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (21 May 2010). "A brief introduction to the modifications made in the Normae de gravioribus delictis, reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith". vatican.va. Archived from the original on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  19. ^ Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (21 May 2010). "[Norms concerning the more grave delicts reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]". vatican.va (2010 rev. ed.). Archived from the original on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  20. ^ Pope Francis. "Praedicate Evangelium, sulla Curia Romana e il suo servizio alla Chiesa nel Mondo (19 marzo 2022)". Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Article 77. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  21. ^ "Pope Francis updates norms on more serious ecclesiastical crimes". Vatican News. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021.
  22. ^ Annuario Pontificio 2012 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, ISBN 978-88-209-8722-0), pp. 1159–1160
  23. ^ "The Holy See – The Roman Curia – Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Norms for proceeding in the Discernment of alleged Supernatural Phenomena (17 May 2024)". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  25. ^ Lowen, Mark (18 May 2024). "Vatican tightens rules on supernatural phenomena". BBC News. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  26. ^ McLellan, Justin (17 May 2024). "Vatican publishes new norms to discern alleged supernatural phenomena". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith "Dignitas Infinita" on Human Dignity".
  28. ^ Faiola, Anthony; Pitrelli, Stefano (18 December 2023). "Pope Francis allows blessings of same-sex couples, shifting Vatican guidance". Washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  29. ^ "Doctrinal declaration opens possibility to bless couples in irregular situations". Vatican News. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Answers to Several Questions from His Excellency, the Most Reverend José Negri, Bishop of Santo Amaro, Brazil, Regarding Participation in the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony by Transgender Persons and Homosexual Persons". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Responsum of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to a dubium regarding the blessing of the unions of persons of the same sex". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  32. ^ "Holy See: The Church cannot bless same-sex unions". Vatican News. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  33. ^ "Pope Francis' LGBT+ views, as Vatican opposes same-sex blessings". Reuters. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  34. ^ "Fidelity oaths spark fear of return to theological silencing". National Catholic Reporter. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  35. ^ Pullella, Philip (15 April 2013). "Pope Francis reiterates 'radical feminist' criticism of US nuns' group". worldnews.nbcnews.com. New York: NBC News Digital. Reuters. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013.
  36. ^ Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (18 April 2012). "Doctrinal assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious". usccb.org. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015.
  37. ^ "Vatican letter directs bishops to keep parish records from Mormons". 2 May 2008. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008.
  38. ^ Hargett, Malea (6 October 2007). "Six Arkansas nuns excommunicated for supporting heresy: women operate Hot Springs day care". arkansas-catholic.org. Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Catholic. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015.
  39. ^ Pullella, Philip (23 April 2007). "Gay marriage evil, abortion terrorism: Vatican". Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 April 2007. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
  40. ^ Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (24 November 2002). "Doctrinal note on some questions regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life". vatican.va. Archived from the original on 7 April 2003.
  41. ^ "Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons". Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Vatican. Archived from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  42. ^ Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. "Dominus Iesus". vatican.va. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013.
  43. ^ Mayer, Thomas F. (2013). The Roman Inquisition: a papal bureaucracy and its laws in the age of Galileo. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-8122-4473-1.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g Black, Christopher (2009). The Italian Inquisition. New Haven [u.a.]: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-11706-6.
  45. ^ "Sapienti Consilio, Index (die 29 Iunii anno 1908) | Pius X". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  46. ^ Doty, Robert C. (9 January 1968). "Ottaviani Quits Post in Vatican; Croat, a Progressive, Is Named" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  47. ^ a b Cross, F.L.; Livingstone, E.A., eds. (1997). "Holy Office". The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Third ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 786. ISBN 9780192802903. Retrieved 8 August 2017. Revised 2005
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  49. ^ a b Pongratz-Lippitt, Christa (8 July 2017). "Müller hits out at Francis, says the way pope dismissed him was unacceptable". La Croix International. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  50. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 01.07.2023" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
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  52. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 10.01.2022" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  53. ^ a b "Pope Francis names secretaries of doctrinal and disciplinary sections of CDF". Catholic News Agency. 23 April 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
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  55. ^ Brockhaus, Hannah (14 September 2017). "Pope appoints new under-secretaries to CDF and Congregation for Clergy". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
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External links

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