Posted on 08/05/2017 7:12:04 AM PDT by Salvation
Monsignor Charles Pope
Q. What is the process for determining how someone is declared a Doctor of the Church?
Sam, via social media
A. The Doctors of the Church are teachers of the faith who have demonstrated exemplary holiness and have deepened the whole Church’s understanding of the Catholic faith. They must be officially declared doctors by a papal proclamation. Such men and women also are known particularly for the depth of understanding and the orthodoxy of their theological teachings.
Though their teachings are not infallible, being a “doctor” means that they contributed significantly to the formulation of Christian teaching in at least one significant area in a way that has impacted later generations.
Through the Middle Ages, the title and process of being named a doctor remained a fluid and informal one. In the 13th century, however, the Church formalized the process by which the Church could honor persons with the title and then put out the first official list of Doctors of the Church.
There are three requirements for being named a Doctor of the Church. First is great sanctity. Thus only those who have already been declared to be saints by the Church may be named a doctor. A second requirement is eminent learning. This is often demonstrated by the fact that they were known to be great teachers of the Faith. The third requirement is a proclamation by the Church. Usually, such proclamation is made by the pope.
Ping for Monsignor Pope’s OSV column.
How does one determine which "Doctor" is right?
I would add unique insight. Thinking of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
How does one determine which “Doctor” is right?
= = =
And what about Doctor Shopping?
Thank you. I actually was wondering about this recently.
Thank you. I actually was wondering about this recently.
I am praying for you. I suspect that the Holy Spirit is inspiring you to become a Catholic, and that is why you are drawn to Catholic threads so often.
It is the opposite. I am trying to get Roman Catholics to become Christians.
LOL, you accomplish nothing but making us more adamantly Catholic.
And how about that Mary? Wow!
Mathew 23
8 But be not you called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brothers. 9 And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be you called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
23 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you tithe mint, and anise, and cummin, and have left the weightier things of the law; judgment, and mercy, and faith. These things you ought to have done, and not to leave those undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you make clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within you are full of rapine and uncleanness. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, first make clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, that the outside may become clean.
Doctor is just another way for the religious leaders to exalt them selves.
Notice what you said....more adamantly Catholic....not Christian. There is a difference.
Yeah...Mary was a white girl. /sarc
Yep. By saying "Catholic," I'm being more specific. Like instead of saying I'm Czech, I always say I'm Bohemian instead. One is a subset of the other, not an exclusion.
How does one determine which “Doctor” is right?
If these rascals really believed what the Bible said maybe they could actually teach some one something.
LOL, so I guess you don't believe in high school or college degrees, promotions at work, the Medal of Honor, etc.
Yep. By saying "Catholic," I'm being more specific. Like instead of saying I'm Czech, I always say I'm Bohemian instead. One is a subset of the other, not an exclusion.
I'm really questioning if Roman Catholicism is a subset of Christianity.
The RCC is so far removed from what we see in the NT. So much has been added over the years.
I see that with so much of the "Early Church Fathers" that Roman Catholics rely upon in place of the Scriptures.
“I’m really questioning if Roman Catholicism is a subset of Christianity.”
It’s certainly not the gospel of grace apart from works that Paul learned from Jesus (he didn’t learn it from men). They refuse his appointed authority from the risen Lord, forever running back to Israel’s things and times, BEFORE God revealed His awesome redemption via the Cross, and the sublime HEAVENLY salvation fully realized in Ephesians.
If Martin Luther did anything, it was to promote the liberating gospel he learned FROM PAUL (and that is anathema to Rome’s Labyrinth of works religion).
It does happen occasionally. As Msgr Pope pointed out, the Doctors do not speak infallibly. As far as “contradictory” statements go, they too is fine unless they conflict with established *dogma*, or infallible doctrine.
Being a “doctor” only indicates that a person significantly contributed to our understanding of established teaching. For example, one might explain *how* Almighty God can be one, yet in three Divine Persons, or *how* Mary could remain a Virgin even after giving birth to Our Lord.
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