The declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Dignitas Infinita: On Human Dignity, sent shock waves through the secular press. This was, in large part, thanks to its headline-grabbing denunciation of “gender theory”. Perhaps this should have come as less of a surprise given Pope Francis’ well-documented and forceful statements on the topic – but there is a difference between the remarks of a pope and a doctrinal declaration, especially one written in such unambiguous terms.