Pope Leo XIV Names 24 New Members to International Theological Commission
VATICAN CITY — The Holy See Press Office announced on October 19 that Pope Leo XIV has named 24 theologians as new members of the International Theological Commission. According to Vatican News, six members were renewed, bringing the commission to its full complement of 30 members for the 2026–2031 term. The new lineup includes eight women, up from five, and eight lay members, twice the previous number, with increased representation from Asia, Africa and South America. Msgr. Piero Coda continues as secretary general.
The International Theological Commission is an advisory body that assists the Holy See, particularly the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, in examining doctrinal questions of major importance. It was established by Pope St. Paul VI on April 11, 1969. Its members, no more than 30 theologians from different countries and schools, are appointed by the pope for five-year terms that may be renewed. The commission meets in plenary session at least once a year and also works through subcommittees. According to Vatican News, this term's usual plenary session is scheduled for November 23–27.
Two of the new members are theologians based in the United States. Catholic News Agency reported on October 19 that Father Khaled Anatolios of the University of Notre Dame and Boyd Coolman of Boston College were among the appointees. Anatolios, a married Melkite Catholic priest, has served as the John A. O'Brien professor of theology at Notre Dame since 2015 and received his doctorate from Boston College in 1996. Coolman received his doctorate in Church history from Notre Dame in 2001 and has taught theology at Boston College since 2005.
In a statement to EWTN News, Anatolios said: "I am honored and humbled by this appointment. Pope Leo has already set forth, in various explicit and implicit ways, a Christocentric agenda and vision for engaging the urgent challenges and sufferings of our current world." Coolman said in his statement: "This is truly a surprising and humbling appointment, but I look forward to serving the Church in this capacity to the best of my ability in the days ahead."
Other appointees include Argentine theologian Brother Jorge Alejandro Scampini, OP, a full professor at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina in Buenos Aires. According to the Order of Preachers, he was born in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina, in 1957, was ordained in 1987 and earned a doctorate in theology at the University of Fribourg in 2001, teaching dogmatic theology, ecclesiology, sacramental theology and ecumenism. The appointees will not be required to relocate to Rome; they will periodically assist the dicastery in examining major theological questions and may publish study documents.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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