Cardinal Fernández says his dicastery will publish a text on handing on the faith in October
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández has announced that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith will release a text on the transmission of the faith in October. Pope Leo XIV asked for it to prompt discussion among Catholics
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández has announced that his dicastery, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), will publish a new text on the transmission of the faith in October, according to thecatholicherald.com.
The text responds to a request made by Pope Leo XIV in recent days, aimed at stimulating "discussion and reflection in the community" of Catholics.
Fernández, who serves as prefect of the DDF, said the text comes at a time when "the Church faces significant challenges in passing on its teachings and values." The DDF is the dicastery responsible for defending Catholic doctrine and promoting its understanding within the Church.
A resource for leaders and communities
The publication is expected to "serve as a valuable resource for Church leaders and the faithful, promoting constructive dialogue about evangelization and the role of faith in everyday life." It is not a prescriptive doctrinal declaration but a tool for discussion, intended as a starting point for parish groups, Catholic movements and seminaries that want to look more closely at how the faith is handed on today.
The dicastery's recent work
The text joins other recent efforts by the Church to address contemporary questions and revive the practice of the faith among believers. The DDF has been working on several initiatives to strengthen Catholic teaching and encourage renewed commitment to the Church's evangelizing mission.
In recent years the dicastery has published documents on subjects ranging from bioethics to responses to new religious movements.
The text will be published in October 2026, as parishes begin their season of religious formation. September and October traditionally mark the restart of catechesis, confirmation groups and adult formation. It is expected to appear in several languages and in both print and digital form, for Church leaders, catechists, educators and members of the faithful interested in how the faith can be passed on in secular settings.
