To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Pope Francis met with the International Theological Commission in the Vatican.
The group is composed of expert theologians, male and female. However, once named bishop the theologian must leave the commission.
Pope Francis commended them for their work in creating two significant texts in the last five years. One clarifies synodality in the life and mission of the Church, which the pope explained is close to his heart.
POPE FRANCIS
I thank you for your document because today we think synodality is holding hands and walking together and celebrating with youth, no? Or rather to ask a series of questions: what do you think about female priests? If the majority agrees, you do it. No, synodality is an ecclesial path with the driving force being the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit there is no synodality. You did a good job to contribute to this. Thank you.
The second document the pope appreciated was on religious freedom, which the Holy Father said is an incomparable right.
POPE FRANCIS
The sincere respect of religious freedom, cultivated in a fruitful dialogue between the State and religions, and between the religions themselves, is instead a great contribution to the good of all and to peace.
He said their document also points out that there are “ethically neutral” States, which leads to an unequal marginalization of religions from civil life which negatively affects everyone.
Melissa Butz
