Theologoumenon

[4] In Roman Catholic theology, it usually refers to statements that are without direct confirmation in Scripture or official endorsement by the divinely inspired Teaching Magisterium of the Church, and are therefore not dogmatically binding per se, but are worth recommending because they cast light on understanding doctrines that are considered to be divinely revealed.

[7] There is some disagreement between Eastern Orthodox and Catholic theologians as to which theological concepts are divinely revealed doctrines and which are simply theologoumena.

[8] A theologoumenon is a theological statement which cannot be directly regarded as the official teaching of the Church, as truth binding in faith.

[9] Thus when revelation is received by man in the present state of valid knowledge it combines with the experience and worldview of the hearer.

Thus theolougumena are not necessarily the element of binding dogma contained in the meaning of a statement, they are the intellectual frame of reference that is expressed with it.

The mural "Les Limbes" by Delacroix in the Palais du Luxembourg . The Catholic idea of Limbo is often cited as a theologoumenon. Once a widespread concept, it is no longer usually taught in Catholic pedagogy, and has generally been abandoned since the Second Vatican Council . Pope Benedict XVI referred to it as a "theological hypothesis" and expressed doubts about its accuracy. [ 1 ]