The Ratzinger Fan Club: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

According to the Vatican website, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was founded in 1542 by Pope Paul III with the Constitution "Licet ab initio," and was originally called the Sacred Congregation of the Universal Inquisition. It was charged with the obligation of defending the Church from heresy.

Pope St. Pius X in 1908 changed the name to the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office. It received its current name in 1965 with Pope Paul VI. Today, according to Article 48 of the Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia, "Pastor Bonus", promulgated by the Holy Father John Paul II on June 28, 1988, "the duty proper to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is to promote and safeguard the doctrine on the faith and morals throughout the Catholic world: for this reason everything which in any way touches such matter falls within its competence."

The congregation is now headed by Archbishop William Levada, formerly of San Francisco, US.

Please Note: What follows is a list of selected statements from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (such as Dominus Iesus), and a special section on specific investigations of notable theologians.

For a complete list of documents published by the Congregation, both doctrinal, disciplinary, and those on sacramental questions, see:

Also: Timeline of principal doctrinal decisions, documents, 1981-2005, by Catholic News Service.

Selected Documents

2004

On the Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the World May 31, 2004, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

2003

Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons. June 3, 2003, Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and his Companions, Martyrs.

2002

Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life November 24, 2002, the Solemnity of Christ the King.

2000

Note on the Expression "Sister Churches" The proper use of the expression "sister churches" is discussed in a note by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that was distributed to heads of bishops' conferences. The note, accompanied by a letter from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the congregation, was signed June 30, 2000.

Declaration Dominus Iesus on the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church. August 6, 2000, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Documents concerning The Message of Fatima. June 26, 2000.

1998

The Primacy of the Successor of Peter in the Mystery of the Church. Reflections of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith dated October 30, 1998 on the primacy of Peter's Successor in the Mystery of the Church.

Commentary on the Concluding Formula of the 'Professio fidei'. Issued by the CDF on June 30, 1998 to go with the Apostolic Letter Ad Tuendam Fidem (In Order to Safeguard the Faith) released the same day. Also contains the Profession of Faith and the Oath of Fidelity on Assuming a Church Office.

1997

Regulations for Doctrinal Examination. une 29, 1997, the Solemnity of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul.

1992

Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on some aspects of the Church understood as Communion - Communionis notio . May 28, 1992.

1990

Instruction on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian. Given at Rome on May 24, 1990, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.

1987

Instruction on respect for human life in its origin and on the dignity of procreation - Donum vitae. Given at Rome on February 22, 1987, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, the Apostle.

1984

Instruction on Certain Aspects of the "Theology of Liberation". Given at Rome on August 6, 1984, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord.

Resources Pertaining to Specific Investigations

Occasionally Cardinal Ratzinger and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had to fulfill their sacred obligation of disciplining a particular theologian who's teaching was found to be at odds with that proclaimed by the Catholic Church. What follows are resources (statements and articles) relating to a few of the more noteworthy skirmishes that have made the headlines.

Paul Collins

In the Press . . .

"Paul Collins Resigns from Priesthood amid Vatican Probe", by John Allen. National Catholic Reporter, March 16, 2001.
"Collins Told to Revise His Views", by John Allen. National Catholic Reporter, July 16, 1999.
"Collins Views on Papacy face Heresy Investigation", National Catholic Reporter, February 20, 1998.

Documents Pertaining To...

Paul Collins' Explanation of his Resignation from the Priesthood, February 1, 2001.
Letter from Cardinal Ratzinger to Father Michael Curran, December 8, 2000.

Fr. Jacques Dupuis, S.J.

In the Press...

Jacques Dupuis, SJ 1923-2004 Times Online. January 12, 2005.
Remembering Jacques Dupuis, by John Allen, Jr. Word from Rome January 7, 2005.
"Rome sends mixed signals on Jesuit contributions", by John Allen, Jr. National Catholic Reporter, April 27, 2001.
"Theologian Criticized by Vatican Wrote Interreligious Guidelines". America. April 23, 2001.
"A Matter of Justice : Was the trial of Jacques Dupuis really necessary?", by Ladislas Orsy. America. April 16, 2001.
"Ways of Salvation? On the investigation of Jacques Dupuis", by Francis J. Sullivan. America. April 9, 2001.
"Theologian's work merits encouragement, not censure". National Catholic Reporter. March 9, 2001.
"Theologian Dupuis says He's Free At Last", by John Allen, Jr. National Catholic Reporter, March 9, 2001.
"Cardinals Air Differences on Role of Doctrinal Congregation". America. April 10, 1999.
"Provincials decry Vatican Suspicion of Asian Theology", National Catholic Reporter, April 2, 1999.
"Ratzinger Rips Konig's Criticism", National Catholic Reporter, April 2, 1999.
In Defence of Jacques Dupuis, by Cardinal Franz Konig. The Tablet, January 16, 1999.
"Indian Archbishop Defends Jesuit Theologian". America Dec 5, 1998.
"Two European Scholars Under Scrutiny for Heresy", by John Allen, Jr. National Catholic Reporter, Nov. 20, 1998.

Documents Pertaining To...

Commentary on the Notification of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding the book Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism by Father Jacques Dupuis, S.J., Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, March 20, 2001.
Statement of Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Feb. 26, 2001.
Notification on the book Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism (Orbis Books: Maryknoll, New York 1997), by Father Jacques Dupuis, S.J., Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Jan. 24, 2001.

Fr. Roger Haight, S.J.

In the Press...

Jesuit Roger Haight's Book Has "Grave Doctrinal Errors": Author of "Jesus: Symbol of God" Barred From Teaching Catholic Theology Zenit.org. Feb. 8, 2005.
Ratzinger seeks further explanation from US theologian. CathNews.com. 17 Sep 2003.
"Haight Silencing Feeds Theologians' Fears", by Margot Patterson. National Catholic Reporter, May 4, 2001.
American Jesuit's Book Spurs Vatican Inquiry, by Teresa Watanabe. The Los Angeles Times. April 25, 2001
"Rome Targets Another Jesuit", by Gerald Renner. National Catholic Reporter, August 11, 2000.
Haight on Trial. Commonweal May 18, 2001 / Volume CXXVIII, Number 10.

Documents Pertaining To . . .

Vatican Notification on "Jesus Symbol of God". Published in the Feb. 9 weekly English edition of L'Osservatore Romano.

Fr. Anthony De Mello, S.J.

In the Press...

The Enigma of Anthony de Mello, by Parmananda Divarkar. America. Nov. 7, 1998.
The Prayer of the Frog Called into Question. Ecumenical Review April 1999.
Dr. Seuss condemned: grinches go after de Mello, by David Toolan. Commonweal, Oct. 23, 1998.
"De Mello Censure reflects Vatican Misgivings about Eastern Thinking", by John Allen Jr. National Catholic Reporter, Sept. 4, 1998.

Documents Pertaining To...

Notification Concerning the Writings of Father Anthony De Mello, S.J., Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Jan. 24, 1998.

Fr. Tissa Balasuriya, OMI

In the Press...

"Condemned Priest is Restored to Church", by Pamela Schaeffer. National Catholic Reporter, January 30, 1998.
Cardinal Ratzinger vs. Fr. Balasuriya. Christian Order Dec. 1997.
"Chronology of Balasuriya's Troubles", National Catholic Reporter, January 30, 1998.
The Balasuriya Affair, by Pravin Thevathasan. pp. 622-627, Christian Order. December 1997. [documents key questionable elements from Balasuriya's texts].
"Vatican Excommunicates Balasuriya", by Pamela Schaeffer. National Catholic Reporter, January 17, 1997.
"Theologian Under Heavy Fire, Appleals to Pope", by Pamela Schaeffer. National Catholic Reporter, Dec. 27, 1996; January 3, 1997.

Documents Pertaining To...

Notification Regarding the Text Mary and Human Liberation, by Father Tissa Balasuriya, OMI

Vassula Ryden

In the Press...

Press Release: Vassula Ryden Notification, Dec. 1996. A clarification on some elements in the October 1995 Notification.
Puerto Rican Bishops, by Fr. Brian Harrison, O.S. Bishops warn the island's Catholics against the unauthorized 'ecumenical' activities of Vassula Ryden. The Wanderer May 11, 1995.

Documents Pertaining To...

Notification on Vassula Ryden. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. October 6, 1995.
Correspondence between Vassula and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (April/June 2002), consisting of questions put to Vassula by Fr. Prospero Grech of the CDF and her answers to the Congregation.
Text of the July 2004 Letter signed by (former) Card. Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. 10 July 2004.