This past week, a Plenary Session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was held at the Vatican. This was a meeting of those priests, religious, and laity who work in this particular Vatican office with the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The role of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is not to be “the Holy Inquisition” as it was called many years ago, but one of clarifying and defending the faith and the sanctity of the Sacraments.

Thus, the role of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has a two-fold task: one theological and the other disciplinary. It also coordinates the work of theologians involved in the study of specific issues by the Vatican, like the International Theological Commission and the Pontifical Biblical Commission, as well as having their canon lawyers examines the nullity of the sacramental marriages in cases of “the favor of the faith,” namely when one of the spouses converts to Christianity.

Those who work or consult with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith need to be well verses in theology and in canon law. They need to have the training that comes from years of study as well as their own research. However, Pope Francis was very clear in what he believes is also needed for those charged with the task of being the Church’s “theological watchdogs”: “an eminently pastoral visage.”

Balancing true, correct doctrine which flows from divine revelation is a skill. Theology is a sacred science, but it is also an art. There can never be any divide between doctrine and pastoral practice if it is to remain authentically Catholic.

This is the reason why it takes so long for a seminarian to be ordained a priest. It is not enough just to know theology, they cannot be without pastoral experiences; and it is not enough just to train the seminarian with field experiences in the parish without any formal studies.

Pray for our seminarians that they may grow to become priests with “eminently pastoral visages.” A cardinal of the Church once remarked that he knows of no diocese outside of Brooklyn that has such a commitment to having its priests get advanced degrees in theology, canon law, philosophy, psychology, law, education, social work, business administration, et cetera, and still have such pastoral priests serving their people. Pray for a future of highly pastoral, theologically minded priests in the future of the Diocese of Brooklyn.