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A reader highly recommends this article in the July 14 issue of The Tablet of London:
By Gerald O’Collins
Pope Benedict’s choice of Bishop Gerhard Müller to be his next doctrinal chief means that a tough defender of Catholic orthodoxy has been given the top job. But Müller is no ideologue – could he consider reform? A leading theologian offers his own six-point plan for change.
Very briefly: O’Collins’ six points for the reform of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF):
1. Reduce the workload by practicing subsidiarity.
2. Practice transparency.
3. Better balance its membership with “theologians of diverse schools.”
4. Change consultors every five years (at least every 10).
5. Authorize and publish as its own the texts of the International Theological Commission and the Pontifical Biblical Commission.
6. Promote meetings on key questions that drew together theologians and other scholars of various (legitimate) schools of thought.
O’Collins ends his essay: “Dare we hope that the new prefect of the CDF might examine critically the running of that institution and implement reforms that would have a healthy and life-giving impact on the Church and the whole theological community?”
