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A role some might find somewhat controversial, the Devil’s Advocate was literally considered the “Promoter of the Faith."
The advocatus diaboli (Latin for Devil’s Advocate) is also known, in the Vatican, as the promotor fidei (literally, the Promoter of the Faith). Whereas the name alone may conjure up images of sinister rituals or caricatured conspiracies, the title had a very different meaning.
The Devil’s Advocate’s official name is, indeed, that of the Promoter of the Faith – and it literally has nothing to do with the devil. This is a centuries-old position within the Roman Catholic Church, and it referred to the person responsible for scrutinizing and challenging the process of canonization of saints.
Whereas the specific responsibilities of the person entrusted with this role naturally evolved over time, its purpose remained the same: to ensure that the Church recognizes only individuals whose lives and deeds are truly worthy of being recognized as exceptional examples of a life lived in fidelity to God’s grace (Cf. CCC 828). In that sense, and in that sense alone, the Promotor Fidei was the “Devil’s Advocate”: in charge of presenting arguments against those being canonized– that is, of accusing them, something the Bible claims the devil does “day and night” (Cf. Rev. 12, 10).
Continued below.
aleteia.org
The advocatus diaboli (Latin for Devil’s Advocate) is also known, in the Vatican, as the promotor fidei (literally, the Promoter of the Faith). Whereas the name alone may conjure up images of sinister rituals or caricatured conspiracies, the title had a very different meaning.
The Devil’s Advocate’s official name is, indeed, that of the Promoter of the Faith – and it literally has nothing to do with the devil. This is a centuries-old position within the Roman Catholic Church, and it referred to the person responsible for scrutinizing and challenging the process of canonization of saints.
Whereas the specific responsibilities of the person entrusted with this role naturally evolved over time, its purpose remained the same: to ensure that the Church recognizes only individuals whose lives and deeds are truly worthy of being recognized as exceptional examples of a life lived in fidelity to God’s grace (Cf. CCC 828). In that sense, and in that sense alone, the Promotor Fidei was the “Devil’s Advocate”: in charge of presenting arguments against those being canonized– that is, of accusing them, something the Bible claims the devil does “day and night” (Cf. Rev. 12, 10).
Pope Sixtus’ system
Continued below.
Who was the Devil’s Advocate in the Catholic church?
A role some might find somewhat controversial, the Devil’s Advocate was literally considered the “Promoter of the Faith.”
aleteia.org
