Teresa of Ávila- Doctor of the Church[1]
On September 27, 1970, Pope Paul VI solemnly proclaimed Teresa of Ávila the first female Doctor of the Church. The title Doctor of the Church (Doctor Ecclesiae) is given by the pope for outstanding achievements in theology and the transmission of the faith. Doctors of the Church are considered witnesses to the doctrine of the Church by bringing the teachings of Jesus Christ to the people of their own and of later times in a special way.
According to Pope Benedict XIV [ed. The 1747-1749 edition of the document is considered the official version], a person should satisfy the following three conditions to be called a Doctor of the Church:
- Eminens doctina (excellent doctrine),
- Insignis vitae sanctitas (a high level of holiness),
- Summi Pontificis aut Concilii Generalis legitimate congregate declaration (a declaration by the pope or by a legitimately assembled General Council).
As can be seen from the 1982 instructions of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints for awarding the title of Doctor of the Church, these criteria are still used today.
A new development began in 1970. With the official designations of Teresa of Ávila and Catherine of Siena as Doctors of the Church, women were attributed special importance for the first time. The objections and reservations against this were based primarily on 1 Cor 14:33f. (“As in all the churches of the saints, women should be silent in the churches”) and 1 Tim 2:12 (“I permit no woman to teach”); they were removed by the Sacred Congregation of Rites after careful theological examination.
It should be noted that Doctor of the Church is not an “honorary title” (titolo onorifico) but rather the recognition of the doctrine of a saint as outstanding (eminens). Nor is it the “third stage” following a process of beatification and canonization, because what is decisive is that the doctrine of the saint … has provided answers to specific needs of the times and continues to exert a beneficial influence in the universal Church today.
[Teresa’s] teaching has had effectiveness and authority beyond the Catholic Church, not only in the life of the faithful, but also for spiritual theology. This is manifested in her writings, in which she described her story of salvation with God, the foundations of a spiritual life, as well as the necessity and degrees of prayer.
Teresa recognized Christ as the center of her spiritual doctrine, because Christ reveals the Father, unites people to him, and associates people with himself. According to the pope, the foundation of Teresa’s doctrine are Christian prayer and the Church, through which the Kingdom of God is realized.
The decisive factor was her personality, which was characterized by humility, simplicity and charisma, vitality and an intensive spiritual life. Paul VI called her a teacher of spiritual life, a contemplative like no other, and tirelessly active. She was a great, unique and yet very human and attractive personality.
The source and goal of Teresa’s doctrine is prayer. She knew all secrets of prayer from her own experience. In her, an experience which she both endured and enjoyed became reality. The gift of proclaiming these secrets made her one of the greatest teachers of inner life.
Editor’s note: From Pope Boniface VIII in 1295, the title Doctor of the Church has been bestowed on 37 saints—33 men and 4 women. From the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), 7 saints have been so honored—3 men and 4 women.
[1] Summary of an article by Dorothee Backwinkel and Michael Plattig, O. Carm. Theresa of Avila—50 Years a Doctor of the Church. Carmelus 67 (2020) fasc. 1, 207-228.
