Discourse of Pope Benedict XVI: St John of Avila to be proclaimed Doctor of the Universal
Church
Dear Brothers and Sisters,With great joy, here in this Cathedral Church of Santa María
La Real de la Almudena, I announce to the People of God that, having acceded to the
desire expressed by Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid and
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Spain, together with the members of the Spanish
episcopate and other Archbishops and Bishops from throughout the world, as well as
many of the lay faithful, I will shortly declare Saint John of Avila a Doctor of the
universal Church.In making this announcement here, I would hope that the word and
the example of this outstanding pastor will enlighten all priests and those who look
forward to the day of their priestly ordination. I invite everyone to look to
Saint John of Avila and I commend to his intercession the Bishops of Spain and those
of the whole world, as well as all priests and seminarians. As they persevere in
the same faith which he taught, may they model their hearts on that of Jesus Christ
the good Shepherd, to whom be glory and honour for ever. Amen.