This week, Paul and Dominic discuss the development of doctrine. Has Church teaching changed? If so, how does it change? We draw deeply from Pope Francis, Pope Benedict, Pope Paul VI, and Dei Verbum to answer these questions. We also discuss what Paul calls the Hermeneutic of Traditionalism. This is the false understanding of tradition and authority that proposes that Catholics can use past teachings to critique, or even denounce, current teachings.

“The Church is not only Denzinger, that is, the collection of dogmatic passages, of historical things. This is true, but the Church develops on her journey in fidelity to Revelation. We cannot change Revelation. It’s true the Revelation develops. The word is ‘development’ — it develops with time. And we with time understand the faith better and better. The way to understand the faith today, after Vatican II, is different than the way of understanding the faith before Vatican II. Why? Because there is a development of knowledge. You are right. And this isn’t something new, because the very nature — the very nature — of Revelation is in continual movement to clarify itself.” (Pope Francis, Meeting of the International Union of Superiors General, May 10, 2019).

Links: 

The Hermeneutic of Traditionalism:
https://wherepeteris.com/the-hermeneutic-of-traditionalism/ 

“I’m still teaching the same things I always taught…”
https://wherepeteris.com/im-still-teaching-the-same-things-i-always-taught/

ABOUT POPE FRANCIS GENERATION Pope Francis Generation is the show for Catholics struggling with the Church’s teaching, who feel like they might not belong in the Church anymore, and who still hunger for a God of love and goodness. Hosted by Paul Fahey, a professional catechist, and Dominic de Souza, someone who needs catechesis. Together, we’re taking our own look at the Catholic Church– her teachings and practices- from 3 views that changed our world: the Kerygma, the doctrine of theosis, and the teachings of Pope Francis. Together, with you, we’re the Pope Francis Generation.
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ABOUT PAUL FAHEY Paul lives in Michigan with my wife, Kristina, and five kids. He's a catechist, retreat leader, counseling student, as well as a contributor and co-founder of Where Peter Is.
ABOUT DOMINIC DE SOUZA SmartCatholics founder, Dominic de Souza, is a convert from radical traditionalism – inspired by WherePeterIs, Bishop Robert Barron, and Pope Francis. He is passionate about helping ordinary Catholics break the ‘bystander effect’, and be firstresponders. “We don’t have to be geniuses. We just have to show up with witness and kindness. Christ does the rest.” Today he hosts the SmartCatholics community. smartcatholics.com
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