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Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith · Doctrinal Declaration

Mysterium Ecclesiae

Declaration in Defense of the Catholic Doctrine on the Church

Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith1973-06-24Current
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Overview

Clarifies the uniqueness and indefectibility of the Church, the development and expression of dogma, the Magisterium, papal infallibility, and ordained priesthood.

Why This Document Matters

It is a key early postconciliar clarification of ecclesiology and the way unchanging doctrine is expressed in historically conditioned language.

Historical Context

Issued by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith after postconciliar theological disputes raised questions about the Church, dogma, infallibility, and ministry.

Authority and Status

Genre
Doctrinal Declaration
Authority class
Doctrinal Declaration of the Church’s doctrinal dicastery, approved or authorized by the Roman Pontiff as stated in the document
Juridical force
Doctrinal or disciplinary according to the document’s stated scope
Current status
Current
Promulgated
1973-06-24

A doctrinal-dicastery text whose authority is determined by its genre, contents, papal approval, and the authority of the teachings it reiterates.

Key Points

EcclesiologyDoctrine & FaithClergy & Holy Orders

Major Themes

EcclesiologyDoctrine & FaithClergy & Holy Orders

Related CatholicG33k Resources

Resources · Church Documents→Resources · Catechism→

Official Text

Mysterium Ecclesiae

The official document text is hosted by the Holy See. CatholicG33k provides contextual and educational material but does not reproduce the complete Vatican text here.

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