“There are 33 doctors of the Church, only three of whom are women [Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena and Thérèse of Lisieux]. During World Youth Day [2011], Benedict XVI announced that the Spanish San Juan de Avila (St. John of Avila) would also be appointed as a doctor of the Church,” reported Rome Reports.
“Benedict XVI is set to appoint [and canonize] Hildegard of Bingen as a doctor of the Church in October of 2012. She was a German Benedictine nun and was known for her visions and prophecies.”
“With this appointment,” Rome Reports noted, “the Church recognizes a person’s contribution to Catholic theology, which is still felt despite the passage of time.”
Adds The Catholic Encyclopedia, “The requisite conditions are enumerated as three: eminens doctrina, insignis vitae sanctitas, Ecclesiae declaratio (i.e., eminent learning, a high degree of sanctity and proclamation by the Church).”
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