DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH I

 DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH I

INTRODUCTION

This article is meant to enlighten us on what it means to be a “Doctor of the Church”; on those who have been designated this title and why they are given the title of “Doctor of the Church”. 

Doctor of the Church (Latin: doctor “teacher”), also referred to as “Doctor of the Universal Church” (Latin: Doctor Ecclesiae Universalis), is a title given by the Catholic Church to saints who recognized as having made a significant contribution to theology or doctrine through their research, study, or writing.

So far, there are 37 Doctors of the Church in the Catholic Church. Among them are 18 who died before the Great Schism of 1054 AD. These 18 of them are also held in high esteem by the Eastern Orthodox Church. However, the Eastern Orthodox Church does not use the formal title of “Doctor of the Church”.

Among these 37 named Doctors, 28 are from the West and nine from the East. Among these 37 named Doctors, 4 are women (Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux, Hildegard of Bingen) and 33 are men. Among these 37 named Doctors, 1 abbess, 3 nuns, 1 tertiary associated with a religious order; 19 bishops, 12 priests, and 1 deacon. Among these 37 named Doctors, 27 from Europe, 3 from Africa, and 7 from Asia. 

12 of the Doctors lived in the fourth century. The 4th century produced the highest number of Doctors of the Church. 

Among the Doctors, the person whose period of proclamation as a Doctor of the Church is short, that is, the period between death and nomination as a Doctor of the Church, is Alphonsus Liguori, who died in 1787 and was named a Doctor in 1871, a short period of 84 years. The longest period is that of Irenaeus, which took more than 18 centuries..

The list of saints who have been awarded with this title ranges from great intellectuals to mystics and reformers. 

“Doctor Ecclesiae Universalis” are depicted with a book, the common iconographical attribute for a doctor.

DEFINITION

A doctor of the church is a person, whose teaching on faith has been deemed sound by the Church officials; and this teaching on faith is of great benefit to the church through their writing, study, or research. Along with significant theological contribution, the person must also display a high degree of sanctity, which is why all church doctors are also canonized saints. A third requirement for someone to be named a doctor of the church is formal proclamation as such by the pope or an ecumenical council. 

Too, the title “doctor of the church” is afforded to saints in the Roman Catholic Church whose writings and teachings are of particular importance; their works are considered to be both true and timeless.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SOMEONE TO BE A DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

From the above definitions, the following three requirements can be deduced: (1) A doctor of the Church must be someone whose teachings and writings are of particular importance (eminence in doctrine and writing); (2) A doctor of the Church must be someone who has a high degree of sanctity, that is, someone who must have been canonized (holiness that is truly outstanding, even among saints); (3) A doctor of the Church must be someone who has been proclaimed a “Doctor of the Church” by the pope or an ecumenical council (formal recognition by the Church). 

Three requirements are traditionally held by the Church for a saint to be considered a Doctor of the Church. 

How are these three requirements interconnected? “Doctors of the Church” are first and foremost saints. They lived heroic lives of sanctity and virtue and within that, were given the gift of a deeper insight of the faith that answered many questions and needs of their time.

© Rev Fr Utazi Prince Marie Benignus Zereuwa

August 5 2023