Dogma is a divinely revealed truth solemnly defined by the Church’s Magisterium as binding on all the faithful. Examples include the dogmas of the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Immaculate Conception. Dogmas require the assent of faith (fides divina et catholica).
Doctrine, more broadly, is any authoritative teaching of the Church regarding faith and morals. Some doctrines are revealed (and thus dogmatic); others are authoritative applications of revealed truth, which nonetheless require religious submission of intellect and will (obsequium religiosum).
Both dogma and doctrine participate in the Church’s deposit of faith, the “faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). They differ not in origin but in degree of formal definition and the type of assent required. Neither may be overturned without betraying Christ Himself, who is the Truth (John 14:6).
We hear a lot about development of doctrine these days from those who really want to change doctrine. But that's impossible! Peripheral things can change When Pius X allowed Communion for younger children he didn't change anything about the doctrine. In the early church it was thought Confession was a one-time sacrament. People often put off baptism until old age because of that. Around the 7th century, things changed and Confession began to be seen as a necessary, frequent sacrament. Today a precept of the Church requires that "serious sins" be confessed once a year. No doubt that's to make the Easter Duty obligation possible for those in mortal sin. Of course, many people never go to confession at all which is sad. What a missed opportunity for the grace to resist temptation.
The statements from Pope Leo about the need to change attitudes before changing doctrine is seriously problematic. Did he mean something less explosive? Were his words spoken off the cuff without thinking? Is it only "unlikely" that doctrine will change or is Leo waiting for another synodal meeting to move the ball down the field toward the goal of complete sexual license? In view of Leo beginning the canonization process for a pervert priest, Msgr. Alejandro Labaka who engaged in sexual play with children, the collapse of dogma on sexual morality is progressing to the glee of many bad shepherds. And Leo, naming another bishop who muddles teaching on homosexuality, again moves the Church in the wrong direction. Chris Jackson on Substack points out the serious problems wih Patricio Larrosa Martos being elevated to bishop in Honduras.
Dogma and Doctrine can be attacked directly by hammering the theses on the cathedral door. But the most insidious tactic of the devil is to mix his poison with a big serving of truth. You can hide the angel of death mushroom more easily in a salad than in a dish of pretzels. This is the crisis in the Church we are facing where ambiguity is used to undermine the faith and where the truth about sin is treated as lack of charity. Serious Catholics need to study and understand the teachings of the Church, study the dogmas, and push back against those framing issues in ways that hide the truth in blather.
Re-read Leo's statement above about the likelihood of changing doctrine on sexuality and marriage. And then read between the lines and ask yourself where he is attempting to move Holy Mother Church. His selections for bishops reveals a lot and the news is not encouraging. We need to pray for him, but not accept his errors.
Let us pray for all the gifts of the Holy Spirit as we near Pentecost. Wisdom is sorely lacking these days in the synodal Church leadership. But there are hundreds, no thousands, of past voices to teach us the truths of the faith. Let us all be wise in choosing our mentors.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us.
Mary, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.
St. Joseph, Guardian of the Universal Church, pray for us.
Doctors of the Church, pray for us.
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