Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) is the department of the Pope’s Curia or administration that deals with clarifying Catholic doctrine and moral teaching. For many years, Cardinal Josef Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) was the cardinal Prefect (director) of this Vatican department. The documents of this congregation are signed by the Pope and therefore are indeed carry his authority — they are an expression of the ordinary papal magisterium. The congregation headed by a Prefect assisted by a bishop secretary and a staff of between 40 and 50 persons.  During the long pontificate of John Paul II, the prefect was Josef Ratzinger, who succeeded John Paul II as Pope Benedict XVI.  For a list of current members of the CDF, see the Vatican website.  Biography by Dr. Italy