Kirchenaktesince 15 Dec 1979 · 46 years, ongoing
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Rome 1979: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith declares that Hans Küng can no longer be considered a Catholic theologian or teach as one
On 15 December 1979 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith declared that the writings and teaching of the priest Hans Küng had disturbed the faithful and that he had not moved despite repeated warnings. He had departed from the integral truth of the Catholic faith and could neither be considered a Catholic theologian nor teach as one. John Paul II approved the declaration.
- Period
- since 15 Dec 1979 (46 years, ongoing)
- Report published
- 15 December 1979
- Country
- Germany, Vatican City
- Institutions
- Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
German Bishops' Conference - Category
- Heresy trials, Censorship
- Level of evidence
- A Primary source · what does this mean?
- Persons
- Hans Küng (priest and professor whose teaching role was withdrawn)
What happened to the people
What happened to those affected?
- The Congregation finds that Küng in his writings has departed from the integral truth of the Catholic faith, can therefore no longer be considered a Catholic theologian and may no longer function in that teaching role. Pope John Paul II approved the declaration and ordered its publication.
Evidence: Heiliger Stuhl, Kongregation für die Glaubenslehre (vatican.va), Schluss
„he can no longer be considered a Catholic theologian nor function as such in a teaching role“
Christi Ecclesia. Declaration regarding certain aspects of the theological doctrine of Professor Hans Küng, 15. Dezember 1979, Schluss. Original Evidence: Heiliger Stuhl, Kongregation für die Glaubenslehre (vatican.va), Schluss
„approved this Declaration, decided upon at an Ordinary Meeting of this Sacred Congregation, and ordered its publication“
Christi Ecclesia. Declaration regarding certain aspects of the theological doctrine of Professor Hans Küng, 15. Dezember 1979, Schluss. Original
Background
Why? Justification and motives (according to the sources)
- The declaration justifies the step by stating that a teacher of sacred doctrine may not make his own judgment the norm of truth. Küng's writings and teaching were a cause of disturbance to the faithful, and the German bishops and the Congregation had warned him several times.
Evidence: Heiliger Stuhl, Kongregation für die Glaubenslehre (vatican.va), Einleitung
„are a cause of disturbance in the minds of the faithful“
Christi Ecclesia. Declaration regarding certain aspects of the theological doctrine of Professor Hans Küng, 15. Dezember 1979, Einleitung. Original Evidence: Heiliger Stuhl, Kongregation für die Glaubenslehre (vatican.va), Einleitung
„chooses and disseminates as the norm of truth his own judgment“
Christi Ecclesia. Declaration regarding certain aspects of the theological doctrine of Professor Hans Küng, 15. Dezember 1979, Einleitung. Original
See also
-
1994-1998 · 4 years
Rome 1997: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Cardinal Ratzinger declares the Sri Lankan theologian Tissa Balasuriya excommunicated over a book; the sentence is lifted a year later
- Vatican City
- Heresy trials
- Censorship
-
1998-2001 · 3 years
Rome 1998 and 2001: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under Cardinal Ratzinger condemns the writings of Anthony de Mello and binds Jacques Dupuis in writing to its teaching
- Vatican City
- Heresy trials
- Censorship
Original documents to read
- Church document
Heiliger Stuhl, Kongregation für die Glaubenslehre (vatican.va): Christi Ecclesia. Declaration regarding certain aspects of the theological doctrine of Professor Hans Küng, 15. Dezember 1979, 15 December 1979. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)
Change log (1)
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Last changed on 31 October 2026. Is something missing or wrong? Suggest an addition or correction.