As two recent documents
illustrate, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith keeps an eye
on almost everything coming out of the Vatican.
Although it has fewer than 50 employees, including ushers and
receptionists, whatever any Vatican office does or says having to do
with faith and morals is a matter that falls under the congregation's
gaze.
As the heir of the Holy Office of the Inquisition -- and housed in a
building still known as the Palace of the Holy Office -- the
congregation often is portrayed as an agency almost exclusively
dedicated to seeking out errant theologians and condemning their
writings.
The congregation does review books that bishops' conferences bring to
its attention, especially if the book presents itself as explaining
Catholic morals or doctrine and is widely used in schools of theology or
seminaries.
But since Pope Benedict XVI was elected in 2005 and U.S. Cardinal
William J. Levada was appointed to succeed him as the congregation's
prefect, the office has issued only one formal public criticism of
written works: a notification about two books by a liberation
theologian, Jesuit Father Jon Sobrino.
More and more, the congregation's pronouncements involve the application
of Catholic moral teaching to questions concerning the very beginning
and very end of human life. Biotechnology, the use of human embryos,
politics and abortion, euthanasia and the care of the dying all have
been topics of recent documents.
In early May, the Vatican published two documents signed by Cardinal
Levada that demonstrate just how widespread the congregation's reach is.
An instruction released May 13 called on bishops and pastors to respond
generously to Catholics who want to attend Mass celebrated according to
the 1962 Roman Missal, commonly known as the Tridentine rite.
And a circular letter released May 16 ordered every bishops' conference
in the world to prepare guidelines for dealing with accusations of
clerical sexual abuse and for ensuring the protection of children.
Formally, the instruction on the Mass came from the Pontifical
Commission Ecclesia Dei, which oversees the pastoral care of Catholics
who have a special devotion to the older liturgy. Pope Benedict placed
the commission under the doctrinal congregation in 2009.
The letter on clerical sexual abuse reflects the fact that the largest
section of the doctrinal congregation -- its disciplinary section -- is
charged with coordinating efforts to rid the church of sexual abuse and
with monitoring or conducting cases against individual abusers.
In addition to sexual abuse of minors, the disciplinary section deals
with "the most serious crimes committed in the celebration of the
sacraments," particularly the Eucharist and confession, examines "crimes
against the faith -- heresy, schism and apostasy -- and, finally,
evaluates cases of alleged apparitions, visions and messages with a
presumed supernatural origin," according to a description in the annual
report, "Activity of the Holy See."
The international commission of bishops and theologians appointed in
March to study the alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje, for
example, is working under the auspices of the doctrinal congregation.
The disciplinary section also coordinates "the admission of former
non-Catholic ministers to the priesthood and other similar questions,"
the book said.
Under the provisions of Pope Benedict's 2009 apostolic constitution, the
doctrinal congregation is charged with establishing special structures
for former Anglicans entering full communion with the Roman Catholic
Church while preserving aspects of their Anglican spiritual and
liturgical heritage.
The structures, known as "personal ordinariates" are similar to
dioceses. The first was established in England in January and there was
widespread speculation that a U.S. ordinariate would be announced before
July.
Cardinal Levada and the four dozen people who work each day in the Holy
Office aren't doing all that work alone. The congregation has 25
cardinal and bishop members and 28 consulting theologians.
Most of the consultants are professors at pontifical universities in
Rome and they get together at the congregation three times a month to
offer their expert opinions and share their research on questions the
congregation considers pressing.
More comprehensive, long-term studies are carried out by two other
commissions that answer to the doctrinal congregation. The Pontifical
Biblical Commission currently is conducting a study on "inspiration and
truth" in the Bible. And the International Theological Commission is
working on three topics: the principles, meaning and methods of
theology; belief in one God and its implications for relations among
Jews, Christians and Muslims; and ways to better integrate Catholic
social teaching into Catholic teaching in general.
Every Wednesday, the cardinal and bishop members who are in Rome gather
around a conference table to review issues and make decisions. And, each
Friday evening, Cardinal Levada meets personally with Pope Benedict to
discuss what's going on.
The weekly meetings are important given the congregation's broad reach.
Virtually every office or agency that belongs to the Roman Curia deals
with something doctrinal, at least occasionally.