Pope Francis has called for stronger collaboration between the world’s bishops and the Vatican’s ‘doctrinal watchdog’, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).
Addressing the congregation’s plenary assembly, the Pope praised its work in the “delicate task” of “caring for the integrity of the Faith and Tradition”, and encouraged it to continue in its regular work of addressing issues through weekly conferences and ordinary sessions.
The Pontiff identified the CDF’s stewardship of Christian doctrine as an authentic ‘work of mercy’, saying, “When, in the evening of life, it shall be asked of us what we did to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, equally shall it be asked of us if we helped people find their way out of doubt, if we were committed to welcoming sinners – admonishing or correcting them, if we were capable of combatting ignorance, especially that ignorance which regards Christian faith and the good life.”
The Holy Father commended the CDF’s examination of the “complimentarity between hierarchical and charismatic gifts” in the Church, noting that the two sorts of gift are called to work together in harmony for the good of the Church and the World. This is an expression, he said, of the “ordered pluriformity that permeates all layers of Church life”, and a reflection of the harmonious communion found within the Trinity.
“Unity and pluriformity are the mark of a Church that is able to move forth with a determined stride that is faithful to the destinations the Risen Lord points it towards throughout history,” he said.
The Pontiff singled out for special praise the congregation’s organisation last year of a meeting with representatives of the European bishops’ conferences’ doctrinal committees, urging it to build on such collaborations with bodies “that help episcopal conferences and individual bishops in their concern for healthy doctrine in times of rapid change and increasingly complex problems”.
As the Church’s primary truth is Christ’s love, with the congregation’s basis and purpose being rooted in this, he said, “The Christian faith is not just knowledge to be preserved through memory, but truth to be experienced through love”.
Therefore, he said, the congregation was called to protect not just “the doctrine of the faith” but also “the integrity of traditions, especially in the more delicate areas of life”.
“Adhering to Christian faith implies both the act of reason and the moral answer to its gift,” he said, thanking the congregation for its efforts and tackling cases of abuse of minors on the part of clergy.
Since 2001, the CDF has had the responsibility of investigating allegations of sexual misconduct by priests with minors under the age of 18 years.
