Letter from the Holy Father to the new Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
To His Most Reverend Excellency
Bishop Victor Manuel Fernández
Vatican, July 1, 2023
Dear brother,
As the new mayor of Department for the Doctrine of the FaithI am entrusting you with a task that I consider very valuable. Your The central purpose is to uphold the doctrine that springs from faith, “to give a reason for our hope, but not as enemies who point and condemn.” [1].
The department you will later lead has started using immoral methods. These were times when, instead of promoting theological knowledge, possible doctrinal errors were investigated. What I expect from you is undoubtedly something else entirely.
You were dean of Theological Faculty of Buenos AiresPresident of Argentine Society for Theology and is President of Commission on Faith and Culture of the Argentine Episcopate, elected in all cases by your colleagues, who thus valued your theology and charisma. as Dean of Pontifical Catholic University of ArgentinaThey have promoted healthy knowledge integration. On the other hand, you were pastor ofSanta Teresa” and hitherto Archbishop of La Platawhere you have understood how to bring theological knowledge into dialogue with the life of the Holy People of God.
In view of the fact that a dedicated department has recently been set up, with very competent professionals for disciplinary matters particularly related to the abuse of minors I ask you, as Prefect, to devote your personal commitment more directly to the main objective of the Dicastery, which is “to preserve. ” the belief”[2].
In order not to limit the meaning of this task, it must be added that it is a matter of “increasing the intelligence and transmission of the faith at the service of evangelization, so that its light becomes the criterion for understanding the meaning of existence”, especially in the light of the questions who stand for the advancement of science and the development of society.”[3]. These questions, taken up in a renewed proclamation of the Gospel message, “become instruments of evangelization”. [4]because they allow us to engage in dialogue with “the current context in something unprecedented in human history.” [5].
In addition, you know that the church “must grow in the interpretation of the revealed Word and in the understanding of the truth.”[6] without this implying the imposition of a single mode of expression. Because “the different lines of philosophical, theological and pastoral thinking, if harmonized by the Holy Spirit in respect and love, can also make the Church grow.” [7]. This harmonious growth will preserve the Christian doctrine more effectively than any control mechanism.
It’s good that your homework reflects that Church “encourages theologians’ charisma and their theological research efforts” as long as “they don’t settle for table theology” [8]with “a cold and hard logic that wants to dominate everything” [9]. It will always be true that reality is superior to idea. In this sense we must pay attention to a in theology Fundamental criterion: “to consider as insufficient any theological conception that ultimately questions the omnipotence of God and, above all, his mercy” [10]. We need an idea that can convincingly portray a God who loves, who forgives, who saves, who liberates, who nurtures people and who calls to brotherly service.
This is the case when “advertising concentrates on the essentials, namely the most beautiful, the largest, the most attractive and at the same time the most necessary”. [11]. You know very well that there is a harmonious order between the truths of our message that is most at risk when secondary issues overshadow the central issues.
Given this richness, your task also requires special care in verifying that the documents of the Dicastery itself and others have adequate theological support, are consistent with the rich humus of the Church’s perennial teaching, while also accepting the newest Magisterium.
May the Blessed Virgin protect and care for you in this new mission. Please don’t stop praying for me.
fraternal,
FRANCIS
__________________
[1] Urge. ap. Evangelii Gaudium (November 24, 2013), 271.
[2] Motu proprio Fidem servare (February 11, 2022), Introduction.
[3] Ibid, 2.
[4] Urge. ap. Evangelii Gaudium (November 24, 2013), 132.
[5] Letter forwarded Laudato si’ (May 24, 2015), 17.
[6] Urge. ap. Evangelii Gaudium (November 24, 2013), 40.
[7] ibid.
[8] Urge. ap. Evangelii Gaudium (November 24, 2013), 132.
[9] Urge. ap. Gaudete et exultate (March 19, 2018), 39.
[10] International Theological Commission, The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Baptism (April 19, 2007), 2.
[11] Urge. ap. Evangelii Gaudium (November 24, 2013), 35
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New Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Here is the letter from Pope Francis Instituto Humanitas Unisinos IHU