The Committee on Doctrine
The Committee on Doctrine was established in 1966 in conformity with the desire of the Holy See to have within the newly constituted episcopal conference a commission to address doctrinal matters. The proposed "Theological Commission"— the predecessor to the current Committee on Doctrine— was entrusted with the tasks of evaluating from the point of view of Catholic doctrine not only specific questions and problems which might arise, but also the means and/or programs adopted by the Church in America in the approach to these questions. The current Committee on Doctrine is governed by the following goals and objectives.
Goals & Objectives
As part of the USCCB's goal of fostering unity and collegiality between the bishops of the United States and the Roman Pontiff, the Committee on Doctrine has the following objective:
In support of the Conference's goal of assisting the bishops individually and collectively in fulfilling their roles as teachers in the faith community, the Committee has the following objectives:
- to support and promote the Pope's universal teaching authority and leadership.
- to teach Catholic doctrine where collective teaching by the bishops is needed and to offer to the bishops evaluations of theological trends and individual theological positions;
- to seek active collaboration of theologians as bishops exercise their teaching mission individually in their dioceses, collectively in the episcopal conference, and as they participate in synods of bishops or ecumenical councils;
- to provide ongoing doctrinal and theological orientation and theological programs for the bishops.
Current Membership
Chairman:
Most Reverend William E. Lori
Bishop of Bridgeport
Members:
Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair
Bishop of ToledoMost Reverend José H. Gomez
Archbishop of San AntonioMost Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of WorcesterMost Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli
Bishop of PatersonMost Reverend Allen H. Vigneron
Bishop of OaklandMost Reverend Donald W. Wuerl
Bishop of Pittsburgh
Consultants:
His Eminence Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J.
Fordham UniversityHis Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of ChicagoSr. Sara Butler, M.S.B.T.
St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, New YorkDr. Peter J. Casarella
DePaul UniversityDr. Joseph Capizzi
The Catholic University of AmericaDr. John C. Cavadini
University of Notre Dame
Publications
Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy
Committee on Doctrine United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, March 25, 2009
Clarifications Required by the Book Being Religious Interreligiously: Asian Perspectives on Interfaith Dialogue by Reverend Peter C. Phan Committee Statement, December 10, 2007
Statement Concerning Two Pamphlets Published by Professor Daniel Maguire
Committee Statement, March 20, 2007Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper: On Preparing to Receive Christ Worthily in the Eucharist
USCCB Document, November 14, 2006 (To order print copies, click here)Dichosos los invitados a la cena del Señor: Sobre la preparación para recibir dignamente a Cristo en le Eucaristía
USCCB Document, November 14, 2006 (To order print copies, click here)Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care
USCCB Document, November 14, 2006 (To order print copies, click here)Ministerio a las personas con inclinación homosexual: Directrices para la atención pastoral
USCCB Document, November 14, 2006 (To order print copies, click here)Regarding the Notification from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith concerning the book Jesus, Symbol of God, by Fr. Roger Haight, S.J.
Committee Statement, March 14, 2005The Permission to Publish: A Resource for Diocesan and Eparchial Bishops on the Approvals Needed to Publish Various Kinds of Written Works
Committee Resource, June 2005 (To order print copies, click here)Popular Devotional Practices: Basic Questions & Answers
USCCB Document, November 12, 2003 (To order print copies, click here)Ejercicios devocionales populaires
Preguntas y respuestas básicas
USCCB Document, November 12, 2003 (To order print copies, click here)The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist: Basic Questions and Answers
USCCB Document, June 15, 2001 (To order print copies, click here)La presencia real de Jesucristo en el sacramento de la Eucaristía
Preguntas básicas y respuestas
USCCB Document, June 15, 2001 (To order print copies, click here)Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services
USCCB Document, June 15, 2001 (To order print copies, click here)Ten Frequently Asked Questions About the Reservation of Priestly Ordination to Men
Committee Document, September 15, 1998 (To order print copies, click here)Moral Principles Concerning Infants with Anencephaly
Committee Document, September 19, 1996The Teaching Ministry of the Diocesan Bishop: A Pastoral Reflection
Committee Document, January 13, 1992 (To order print copies, click here)Doctrinal Responsibilities: Approaches to Promoting Cooperation and Resolving Misunderstandings between Bishops and Theologians
NCCB Document, June 17, 1989 (To order print copies, click here)
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Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000