Vatican Doctrinal Head Promotes Doctrinal Relativism Under Guise of “Humility”
The EWTN News portal (January 27, 2026) reports that Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, condemned what he called “ex cathedra condemnations” by online commentators while urging greater “humility” in doctrinal matters. Fernández warned against repeating “the same deception that led to the excesses of the Inquisition,” claiming Church officials risk losing perspective through excessive censure. He advocated for “listening to others” and embracing “other points of view,” particularly from the “peripheries,” while quoting antipope Leo XIV’s assertion that “no one possesses the whole truth.”
Rejection of Church’s Divine Mandate to Condemn Error
Fernández’s condemnation of doctrinal vigilance constitutes direct rebellion against the Church’s immutable duty. The First Vatican Council dogmatically teaches that “all those things are to be believed with divine and Catholic faith which are contained in the word of God… and which are proposed by the Church… to be believed as divinely revealed” (Dei Filius, Ch. 3). By contrast, Fernández treats truth as a democratic process, stating “we must all seek it with humility, and seek it together” – a position explicitly condemned by Pope Pius IX: “All those who affirm that the dogmas proposed by the Church are a philosophical matter for free debate are outside the flock of Christ” (Syllabus of Errors, 1864, Error 22).
Modernist Subversion of the Magisterium
The cardinal’s call to avoid “correcting and condemning” reveals the core modernist heresy denounced by St. Pius X: “The Modernist… recognizes that the authorities must put some restraint upon her [the Church]… but meanwhile he is ready to obey” while secretly subverting doctrine (Pascendi Dominici Gregis, 29). When Fernández states “even powerful technologies cannot give the human mind exhaustive knowledge of reality,” he employs the modernist tactic of reducing divine revelation to human existential experience – precisely what Pascendi condemns as “agnosticism transferred to dogma” (§6).
Historical Revisionism Against Inquisition
Fernández’s denigration of the Inquisition as “excess” constitutes blasphemy against the Holy Ghost’s guidance of the Church. Pope Leo XIII affirmed: “The Church has the right to require that the civil power assist her in punishing… those who refuse to fulfill their duty to her” (Immortale Dei, 1885). The Holy Office operated under the principle ecclesia non sitit sanguinem (the Church thirsts not for blood), with secular authorities handling capital punishments. To equate its doctrinal defenses with “mass atrocities” is to adopt Masonic historiography condemned by Pope Pius IX: “The Church has been unjustly made to appear as the friend of tyranny and the enemy of liberty” (Syllabus, Error 40).
Contradiction of Organic Development Doctrine
While paying lip service to theology’s “organic unity,” Fernández undermines it by suggesting truth emerges through dialogue with “peripheries.” This contradicts St. Vincent of Lerins’ rule that authentic development means doctrine grows “within its own genus… in the same sense and the same understanding” (Commonitorium, 23). Pope Pius XII explicitly condemned Fernández-style evolutionism: “The progress which the Church announces… is very different from that of those men who, contaminated by false philosophy… imagine that dogma should evolve” (Humani Generis, 1950).
Pseudo-Humility as Cover for Apostasy
The cardinal’s invocation of “humility” serves to mask doctrinal surrender. True Catholic humility consists in submission to revealed truth, not relativism. As Pope Pius XI taught: “The kingship and empire of Christ has been denied… Not only do they rebel against Him, but… they go so far as to abolish all remembrance of His Commandments” (Quas Primas, 18). Fernández’s claim that “no one possesses the whole truth” directly opposes Christ’s promise: “The Holy Ghost… will teach you all truth” (John 16:13). The Church possesses truth in toto through divine assistance, though comprehends it progressively (Vatican I, Dei Filius IV).
Omission of Supernatural Judgment
Most damning is Fernández’s complete silence on the duty to warn souls of eternal consequences. St. Paul commanded: “Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2-3). By removing the eschatological dimension – the Four Last Things – Fernández reduces the Faith to a humanistic dialogue. This fulfills Pope St. Pius X’s warning: “The Modernists… do not deny, but actually maintain… that religion must adapt itself to modern conscience” (Pascendi, 26).
Source:
Vatican doctrinal chief warns against condemnations, urges humility in the Church (ewtnnews.com)
Date: 27.01.2026