Instruction on Certain Aspects of the “Theology of Liberation” (Libertatis nuntius)
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
“Liberation is first and foremost liberation from the radical slavery of sin” (source)
“In revealing to them their vocation as children of God, the Gospel has elicited in the hearts of mankind a demand and a positive will for a peaceful and just fraternal life in which everyone will find respect and the conditions for spiritual as well as material development. This requirement is no doubt at the very basis of the aspiration we are talking about here.” (source)
“As with all movements of ideas, the ‘theologies of liberation’ present diverse theological positions. Their doctrinal frontiers are badly defined.” (source)
“The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of freedom and a force for liberation” (source)
“New Testament revelation teaches us that sin is the greatest evil, since it strikes man in the heart of his personality. The first liberation, to which all others must make reference, is that from sin.” (source)
- Title: Instruction on Certain Aspects of the “Theology of Liberation” (Libertatis nuntius)
- Author: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
- Publisher: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
- Print Publication Date: 1984
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Liberation theology
- Resource ID: LLS:NSTRCTNCRTNSPCT
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:28:18Z