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CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
Founded in 1542 by Pope Paul III with the Constitution "Licet ab
initio," the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was originally
called the Sacred Congregation of the Universal Inquisition as its duty
was to defend the Church from heresy. It is the oldest of the Curia's nine
congregations. 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 a Prefect: H.Em. Card. Gerhard Ludwig Müller. It
has a Secretary, His Excellency Msgr. Luis F. Ladaria, S.I., an Assistant
(Adjunct) Secretary His Excellency Msgr. Joseph Augustine Di Noia (Usa), an under-secretary,
Msgr. Damiano Marzotto, a Promotor of Justice Rev. Fr. Robert Joseph Geisinger, S.I, and a staff of
47, according
to the "Annuario Pontificio" or "Pontifical Yearbook."
It also has 23 members - cardinals, archbishops and bishops - and 28 consulters.
Given the nature of its task, congregation work is divided into four distinct
sections: the doctrinal office, the disciplinary office, the matrimonial
office and that for priests. The congregation, says the "Activity of the Holy See," in
conformity with its raison d'être, promotes in a collegial fashion encounters
and initiatives to «spread sound doctrine and defend those points
of Christian tradition which seem in danger because of new and unacceptable
doctrines.» For several years the congregation, together with the Vatican Publishing
House, has been issuing volumes containing the texts of its single documents,
as well as articles relative to its work which appear in the daily edition
of "L'Osservatore Romano". Annually, it holds plenary assemblies.
When bishops are in Rome for their quinquennial "ad limina"
visit, they call on the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as
they do with other dicasteries of the Roman Curia, «for an exchange
of information and reciprocal concerns.» There is also ample collaboration between the Pontifical Biblical Commission
and the International Theological
Commission. each of which has as president the Archbishop Prefect of
Doctrine of the Faith. Weekly congregation meetings are held, usually on
Wednesday, and are attended by officials and consultors.
* * * PAUL
VI,
Motu proprio "Integrae servandae" on the re-organization of
the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
December 7, 1965. E-mail: cdf@cfaith.va
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