Thottiyan Jose, Jomy

Sanciones / 1
"Doctrinal Examination"

Pope John Paul II’s most recent apostolic letter, Ad Tuendam Fidem, repre-
sents new legislation issued by the Holy Father in order to bring the universal
laws of the Church up to date with the profession of faith promulgated in
1989.

In the Code of Canon Law, the profession of faith consists of the traditional
Nicene Creed plus three paragraphs that aim to distinguish clearly the order
of truths that the faithful are called to embrace. The letter explicitly cites these
three paragraphs found in the profession of faith and the canons correspon-
ding to them. The first of these paragraphs, corresponding to Canon 750 in the
Latin Code, concerns truths that have been divinely revealed and taught either
by a solemn judgment or by the ordinary universal Magisterium. The second
paragraph—regarding teachings connected to revelation either by historical
reason or by logical consequence—addresses each and every thing that the
Church’s Magisterium teaches regarding faith and morals. The third para-
graph deals with authentic but non-definitive Church teachings, correspon-
ding to Canon 752 in the Latin Code.

While filling a gap in canon law, this letter counters those theologians who
argue that certain definitive Church teachings are not infallible and so may be
reversed some time in the future, either by a pope or a Church council. Ad
Tuendam Fidem forcefully reaffirms that the Church can and has taught doc-
trines as definitive and infallible without a solemn proclamation of infallibility
that is found in a papal or conciliar definition.
Joseph Card. Ratzinger affirms1:
"In every profession of faith, the Church verifies different stages she has reached on
her path toward the definitive meeting with the Lord. No content is abrogated with
the passage of time; instead, all of it becomes an irreplaceable inheritance through
which the faith of all time, of all believers, and lived out in every place, contemplates
the constant action of the Spirit of the risen Christ, the Spirit who accompanies and
gives life to His Church and leads her into the fullness of the truth."

Instances of definitive teachings that are connected to revelation by historical

necessity but are not proclaimed as divinely revealed include the legitimacy
of the election of a pope and the ecumenicity and universality of a Church
council. The canonization of saints and the declaration of certain saints as
doctors of the Church are other examples of definitive teachings connected to
revelation by historical necessity. An another example, not mentioned by the
official commentary, is the declaration of Therese of Lisieux as a doctor of the
Church.

In the cyber-scientific era, where the facts and realities have dominance
through logical and historical scrutiny, the truth to be treated as divinely re-
vealed should have a genuine deposit of faith. The protectors and the promul-
gators of faith should follow the practical documental manifestations in the
counter active exegesis of revealed realities and second category truths.

1 Cardinal Josef Ratzinger’s reflection on Pope John Paul’s II 1998 Motu Proprio Ad Tuendam
Fidem, Doctrinal Commentary on the Concluding Formula of the Professio fidei, No. 12.