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Article: Catherine & Teresa: doctors of the church. (Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Catherine of Siena)
- Article from:
- Commonweal
- Article date:
- November 17, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 Commonweal Foundation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Twenty-five years ago, Paul VI broke precedent by declaring Catherine of Siena (1347-80) and Teresa of Avila (1515-82) "doctors" of the church. They are the only women so honored.
The tradition of naming doctors of the church began with Venerable Bede (d. 735), who described Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and Gregory as "significant interpreters" of the Gospel of Luke. The official designation "doctor of the church" came into vogue only centuries later, in 1295, when Boniface VIII instructed that the title be used of these "Latin doctors" in liturgical celebrations. In 1567, Pius V bestowed the title on Thomas Aquinas, and the following year on Athanasius, Basil the ...