Doctor of the Church

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/doctor-of-the-church

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the total number of doctors?38 individuals have been officially recognized as Doctors of the Church
2. What is the geographic origins?Doctors originate from Europe (28), Africa (3), and Asia (7)
3. Why does the Church call some saints Doctors?Because these saints studied a lot, wrote clear books, and helped explain and protect Christian beliefs for many people. Their work is still useful today.
4. How many Doctors of the Church are there?As of 2025, there are 38 Doctors of the Church. They come from many different times and places.

Theology: The systematic study of the nature of God and religious belief, involving reasoned discourse about divine things.
Doctrine: A core principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true and foundational to a belief system.
Ecclesiastical: Relating to the Christian Church or its clergy; belonging to the church.