Organization
Until 1968, the Pope himself held the title of prefect but never exercised this office. Instead, he appointed one of the cardinals to preside over the meetings, first as Secretary, then as Pro-Prefect.
Since 1968, the Cardinal head of the dicastery has borne the title of Prefect, without further qualification. Therefore, from 1968 onwards, the title of Secretary refers to the second highest-ranking officer of the Congregation. The Congregation has a membership of some 18 other cardinals and a smaller number of non-cardinal bishops, a staff of some 38 priests, religious and lay men and women, and some 26 consultors.
The work of the Congregation is divided into four sections: the doctrinal, disciplinary, matrimonial, and clerical offices. The Congregation holds biennial plenary assemblies, and issues documents on doctrinal, disciplinary and sacramental questions that occasionally include notifications concerning books by Catholic theologians (e.g., Hans Küng, Charles Curran, and Leonardo Boff) that it judges contrary to Church doctrine.
Staff (2012):
- Cardinal Prefect: Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller
- Secretary: Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, S.J.
- Undersecretary: Monsignor Damiano Marzotto Caotorta
- 25 members: Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops
- 28 Consultors
- Staff of 33
On 6 May 2006 Cardinals Antonio Cañizares Llovera and Jean-Pierre Ricard were named members of the Congregation.
Read more about this topic: Congregation For The Doctrine Of The Faith
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—Mikhail Gorbachev (b. 1931)
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