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Instruction on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian
- GenresTheology
42 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1990
23 people want to read
About the author
Pope Benedict XVI
941 books924 followersOriginally
Joseph Ratzinger
, a noted conservative theologian before his election in 2005, Benedict XVI strove against the influence of secularism during his papacy to defend traditional Catholic teachings but since medieval times first resigned in 2013.
After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.
Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.
Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.
Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.
Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.
(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)
After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.
Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.
Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.
Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.
Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.
(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 7, 2021
At just under 9000 words this is a long essay by Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) which was trying to solve a problem within Catholic theology in 1990.
The problem revolves around the role of a Theologian.
On the one hand theology is an academic discipline, so the role of the theologian is determined by the methodological rules of academic rigour (paragraph 12).
But on the other hand, a Church theologian also has a role defined by what it means to be part of the Church. An essential element of Jesus’ message is his command to live in ‘unity,’ preserving the unity of life and doctrine illustrated in Acts 2.42 (paragraph 39).
So, whilst theologians have to be academically rigorous, they also have to work to preserve the unity of the Church. They cannot do that, if they are dissenting from Church teachings and thus fostering disunity.
However, the document is at pains to insist that this does not mean that theologians have to surrender their thinking and mindlessly repeat the party line. Sometimes a theologian’s difficulties may help the Church to better understand and express its teachings, so theologians should dialogue with Church leaders when they are in disagreement (albeit not in the Media).
Ultimately, if a theologian cannot reconcile their theology with the theology of the Church, they have a duty to “suffer in silence”, certain that God will ensure that Truth will always prevail (paragraph 31). If they do not do this, they are potentially mis-representing the faith to Church members, and undermining the unity which Jesus called for.
Although the document does not use this analogy, it seems to be comparing theologians to employees. Employees can think and express themselves, but they must always do so within the loyalty owed to their employer. If they feel strongly that their employer is wrong, then employees have a choice. They can stay with the employer and be silent. Or they can leave the employer and be critical. What they cannot do, morally (and legally) is remain an employee whilst simultaneously publicly criticising their employer.
The document does not use that analogy, and the analogy doesn’t quite fit the scenario, but the document is certainly trying to stress that being a Church theologian carries duties and responsibilities of loyalty, over and above those of a non-Church theologian.
Overall the document provides reasons and argues coherently to its conclusion. Personally I would have preferred it to have been a little shorter and sharper in places, but other readers may prefer the more meditative style.
Not every reader will agree with the conclusion, but everyone should be able to appreciate that the document provides a clear statement of its conclusion.
The problem revolves around the role of a Theologian.
On the one hand theology is an academic discipline, so the role of the theologian is determined by the methodological rules of academic rigour (paragraph 12).
But on the other hand, a Church theologian also has a role defined by what it means to be part of the Church. An essential element of Jesus’ message is his command to live in ‘unity,’ preserving the unity of life and doctrine illustrated in Acts 2.42 (paragraph 39).
So, whilst theologians have to be academically rigorous, they also have to work to preserve the unity of the Church. They cannot do that, if they are dissenting from Church teachings and thus fostering disunity.
However, the document is at pains to insist that this does not mean that theologians have to surrender their thinking and mindlessly repeat the party line. Sometimes a theologian’s difficulties may help the Church to better understand and express its teachings, so theologians should dialogue with Church leaders when they are in disagreement (albeit not in the Media).
Ultimately, if a theologian cannot reconcile their theology with the theology of the Church, they have a duty to “suffer in silence”, certain that God will ensure that Truth will always prevail (paragraph 31). If they do not do this, they are potentially mis-representing the faith to Church members, and undermining the unity which Jesus called for.
Although the document does not use this analogy, it seems to be comparing theologians to employees. Employees can think and express themselves, but they must always do so within the loyalty owed to their employer. If they feel strongly that their employer is wrong, then employees have a choice. They can stay with the employer and be silent. Or they can leave the employer and be critical. What they cannot do, morally (and legally) is remain an employee whilst simultaneously publicly criticising their employer.
The document does not use that analogy, and the analogy doesn’t quite fit the scenario, but the document is certainly trying to stress that being a Church theologian carries duties and responsibilities of loyalty, over and above those of a non-Church theologian.
Overall the document provides reasons and argues coherently to its conclusion. Personally I would have preferred it to have been a little shorter and sharper in places, but other readers may prefer the more meditative style.
Not every reader will agree with the conclusion, but everyone should be able to appreciate that the document provides a clear statement of its conclusion.
February 9, 2024
Lays out the proper role of the Theologian within the church. In clear terms, defines how “dissent” is to be handled in order to prevent confusion among the faithful and potentially establishing a “parallel magisterium” which opposes the church’s teaching authority.
With Catholics becoming increasingly catechized by online Theologians, it is important that we hold those theologians accountable to the Church’s magisterium regarding how to properly dissent.
With Catholics becoming increasingly catechized by online Theologians, it is important that we hold those theologians accountable to the Church’s magisterium regarding how to properly dissent.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews