Francis criticizes theologians again. Now demands more “synodical boldness”

Pope Francis one more time expresses the anticipation of rebuilding Catholic theology. This time he made specified a request in a speech to the members of the global Theological Commission.

The global Theological Commission is simply a body of experts appointed by Pope Paul VI. He collects theologians from all over the planet who deal with the various themes indicated by the Pope. The Commission is working under the supervision of the Prefect of the Dicastery of religion Science.

The Commission's Plenary Session was held on 28 November. The theologians are now addressing the question of the religion of the Council of good in connection with the 1700 census in 2025. the anniversary of this event.

In a letter addressed to the members of the Commission, Pope Francis called for 2 things. The first is to put Christ in the center of theology, the second is to make theology of synodality.

While it is comparatively easy to realize what Francis intended to focus on Christ, especially in the context of the Council of Nice, it is much more hard to penetrate his remarks on synodality. Francis appealed to the paper of the Final Synod on Synodality, which in paragraph 67 called for "theological institutions" to proceed their work to "explain and deepen the meaning of synodity". According to Francis over the last 60 years, thanks to the Synod of Bishops appointed by Paul VI, “synodical theology has developed” and present “is mature”. But the Holy Father wants more. He wrote:

"Therefore, with the encouragement to put Christ in the center, I would besides like to encourage you to consider the ecclesiological dimension, in order to better make the mission nonsubjective of synodity and participation of the full people of God, with its diversity of cultures and traditions. I would say that it is time to take a bold step: to make theology of synodality, a theological reflection that would help, stimulate, accompany the synodal process, for a fresh missionary stage, more creative and bold, which would be inspired by kerygma and affect all members of the Church."

"A bold step", "a fresh mission stage", "creativity", "creativity", "involvement of everyone" all brings to head the motu proprio "Ad theologia promovendam" of 2023, in which Francis called on theologians (then from the Pontifical Theology Academy) to carry out a "cultural revolution" in theology, primarily in the form of a resignation from the deductive method (the Aristotle and St. Thomas method) for an induction method (the method of empirists). These slogans besides correspond to the letter that the Pope sent to Cardinal Fernández last year for the occasion of his taking office as Prefect of the Dicastery of the Doctrine of Faith, where he asked him to strengthen various currents in theology and philosophy.

Therefore, if you realize the Pope's message from his letter to the global Theological Commission, it is only in the same key: expanding “diversity” in the Church. It is clear that Francis is fighting all the time against theologians, whom he considers to be besides "closed" and limited in "general" schemes; he would like theology to service present to affirm his large task of doctrinal and moral decentralization of the Catholic Church.

It is apparent that a large proportion of theologians – most likely most in many countries – will not want to engage in this project. The Pope expects this too; he concluded his message by calling on theologians to have a sense of humor (in the Synod Church this is undoubtedly useful) and to pray "for him, not against him" ...

This does not mean, however, that Francis ’ admonition is simply unsuccessful. It seems apparent that the Vatican will effort to change the form of theology, for example through the appointments of the bishop. Without commitment to the “cultural revolution” there will be nothing to think of any offices. And those who advance this way will build around them an adequate theological environment...

Sources: Vatican.va, PCh24.pl

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