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The 33 Doctors of the Church. By Christopher Rengers, O.F.M. Cap. (Rockford, Illinois:Tan Books and Publishers. 2003. Pp. xxx, 692. $33.00 paperback.)
Since Benedict Xiy a pope with a penchant for bringing order to disorder, laid out three criteria for those considered a "doctor" for the entire Church: eminens doctrina (eminent learning), insignis vitae sanctitas (distinguished holiness of life), and Ecclesiae declaratio (declaration by pope or council), the number has more than doubled. Together they constitute a fairly diverse group: a married man, eight from the East, three Africans, six from Asia, and since 1970, three women. The title doctor ecclesiae conveys an official judgment that a certain man or woman is a trustworthy resource from which the entire Church can draw to better understand the faith. One might, therefore, expect a plethora of information concerning their lives and teachings available to the educated Catholic. Unfortunately, this is not the case, with many...