Instruction on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian (Donum veritatis)
Overview
For nearly 500 years, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has defended the Catholic Church from internal heresy—whether by false teaching or malpractice of faith. It is the oldest of the Curia’s nine congregations, and is made up of cardinals, bishops, priests, lay theologians, and canon lawyers. According to Pope Paul VI’s 1965 Motu Proprio Integrae Servandae, “All questions which regard the doctrine on faith and morals or which touch upon the faith are within the competence of the Congregation … It examines new teachings and new opinions in whatever way they are spread, it promotes studies in this area, and encourages the Congresses of scholars; it condemns those teachings found to be contrary to the principles of the faith, after, however, having heard the view of the Bishops of those regions, if they are specifically connected with the issues.”
Top Highlights
“The obligation to be critical, however, should not be identified with the critical spirit which is born of feeling or prejudice. The theologian must discern in himself the origin of and motivation for his critical attitude and allow his gaze to be purified by faith. The commitment to theology requires a spiritual effort to grow in virtue and holiness.” (source)
“Obedient to the impulse of truth which seeks to be communicated, theology also arises from love” (source)
“The truth possesses in itself a unifying force. It frees men from isolation” (source)
“For this reason, from the very beginning of the Church, the ‘standard of teaching’ (cf. Rom 6:17) has been linked with baptism to entrance into the mystery of Christ. The service of doctrine, implying as it does the believer’s search for an understanding of the faith, i.e., theology, is therefore something indispensable for the Church.” (source)
“not intending to act ‘definitively’, teaches a doctrine to aid a better understanding of Revelation” (source)
- Title: Instruction on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian (Donum veritatis)
- Author: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
- Publisher: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
- Print Publication Date: 1990
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Theologians; Vocation, Ecclesiastical; Catholic Church › Teaching office
- Resource ID: LLS:NSTRCTNCCLSLVCT
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:28:17Z