Vatican Appoints New Members to International Theological Commission

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The Vatican has announced the new composition of the International Theological Commission for the term ending in 2031. The updated roster marks a significant shift in the demographic profile of the body, with women and laypeople now holding larger shares of the seats than in previous terms. The announcement was released on a Monday, detailing the specific individuals selected to serve in this advisory capacity.

For the first time, the proportion of women on the commission exceeds one quarter, reaching 26.7 percent. Similarly, the share of lay members has risen to 30 percent. These figures indicate a structural change in the makeup of the group, which is attached to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The commission has served as an advisory body to the Pope and his doctrinal authority for nearly 57 years, addressing topics ranging from liberation theology and purgatory to human dignity, religious freedom, and the role of women in the church.

The geographic origins of the theologians reflect a broader global shift within the Catholic Church. Europeans, who constituted more than two-thirds of the commission when it was established in the late 1960s, now make up only 40 percent of the members. Asia has gained prominence, with one in five members hailing from the continent, specifically from India, Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan. The presence of African theologians has also increased, with representatives from Burkina Faso, Kenya, Benin, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Latin America is represented by scholars from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. This distribution suggests a more polycentric view of the church, emphasizing the value of different local churches.

Several members from the previous term, which ran from 2021 to 2026, have been confirmed for the new period. The Italian theologian Piero Coda remains the general secretary, while the Milanese dogmatist Alberto Cozzi continues as the adjunct secretary. Other confirmed members include the English Dominican Simon Francis Gaine, a lecturer in dogmatics at the Angelicum in Rome; the American theologian Reinhard Hütter, a specialist in ecclesiology and Thomistic theology; the Australian religious sister Isabell Naumann, an expert in theology and religious life; and the Congolese religious sister Josée Ngalula, who focuses on African theology and the role of women in the church.

New appointments include Bernhard Knorn, a Jesuit and dogmatist from Frankfurt, who has taught at the Philosophical-Theological Faculty of St. George in Frankfurt since 2018. His research focuses on ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, and conciliar history. Jan Heiner Tück, a dogmatist from Vienna, has also been appointed. He teaches at the University of Vienna and is known for his work on the dialogue between Judaism and Christianity, as well as the relationship between literature and theology. His research also engages with the Second Vatican Council.

The selection of experts in ecclesiology, systematic theology, patristics, and fundamental theology suggests an intention to deepen the theoretical and doctrinal insights gained recently. The composition of the new commission implies a continuation of the direction initiated by Pope Francis, particularly regarding synodality. The focus appears to be on integrating synodality as a normal dimension of church life, with members from diverse contexts expected to practice a more listening and mediating approach. The commission has previously addressed issues such as the church's failings and inculturation, and most recently, transhumanism.