Meanings
singular dubium
- pluralplural normallyCatholicismA set of questions on doctrine sent by Catholic bishops to the Holy See.
The dubia began as a private letter, as is usual with such requests for doctrinal clarity. Francis offered no reply.
2016 November 26, Ross Douthat, “His Holiness Declines to Answer”, in The New York Times, →ISSN2 more examples
Eleven dubia, have been raised regarding the application of the Motu proprio Traditionis custodes through which in July 2021 Pope Francis promulgated new norms regarding the use of the liturgical books in use prior to the reform enacted by the Second Vatican Council.
2021 December 18, “Celebration of old rite: Holy See responds to questions presented by bishops”, in Vatican NewsOn July 10, Cardinal Burke and other leading traditionalist cardinals sent a letter to Francis known as a “dubia” that conveyed their concerns about the Synod, and demanded that he clear up, among other issues, the blessing of same-sex unions.
[2023 October 3, Jason Horowitz, “Conservative Catholics, Relegated to Sidelines, Denounce Papal Gathering”, in The New York Times, →ISSN
Origin
- Latindubia
- Englishdubia
Borrowed from Latin dubia, plural of dubium (literally “doubt”).
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Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
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Cite this entry
dubia. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dubia
“dubia.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dubia. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dubia,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dubia.
Source: dubia on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.