International Theological Commission publishes document on current state of theology
The International Theological Commission released a document on Thursday, titled "Theology
Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria". Below is the full text of the Press
Release announcing the publication.
Press Release
Publication
of the Document Theology Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria by
the International Theological Commission
In the wake of its document
In Search of a Universal Ethic: A New Look at Natural Law (2009), the International
Theological Commission, as part of its work of assisting the Holy See, and the Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith in particular, to examine more important doctrinal questions,
has today (8 March 2012) issued a new English-language document, entitled Theology
Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria. It will be published on the International
Theological Commission’s page on the Vatican website (www.vatican.va) and in the CNS
documentary service Origins, as well as on the website of the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops. An Italian translation will shortly appear in La Civiltà Cattolica
and translations into other major languages are also planned.
Work on the
document began during the quinquennium (2004-2008) in the sub-commission headed by
Father Santiago del Cura Elena. The text was drafted in the light of studies undertaken
during the current quinquennium in the sub-commission headed by Msgr. Paul McPartlan.
The
document examines a number of contemporary theological issues and sets forth, in light
of the foundational principles of theology, methodological criteria which must be
considered decisive for Catholic theology vis-à-vis other related disciplines, such
as the religious sciences. The text is divided into thee chapters: theology presupposes
attentive listening to the word of God accepted in faith (chapter 1); it is practised
in communion with the Church (chapter 2); and its aim is to ground a scientific approach
to God’s truth within a horizon of authentic wisdom (chapter 3).
The text
was approved in forma specifica by the International Theological Commission on 29
November 2011 and submitted to the President of the Commission, Cardinal William Levada,
Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who authorized its publication.