Okay, well, they do meet behind closed doors, but they're not really that secretive. At least they're not any more secretive than every other body that meets behind closed doors. They even give notifications to the press of what they're talking about behind closed doors.
So anyway, there is a group that works for the Holy See known as the International Theological Commission. It isn't one of the regular Vatican dicasteries (departments) but an advisory body. Basically, it's a group of theologians from around the world who are selected by the Holy See to advise on various theological matters.
As such, it writes reports for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (whose prefect is also president of the ITC). These do not of themselves have the character of magisterial statements (at least they don't necessarily), but they are useful summaries of where mainstream Catholic theology is.
This is the group that, a few years ago, issued the document stating that limbo is not the only way to view the fate of unbaptized children.
While the ITC's work goes on throughout the year with work on various issues, the group meets once a year for a week in what's known as a plenary ("full") session.
Next week is that week for 2010!
So what's the group going to be talking about, you ask?
According to the Vatican News Service,
According to a communique published today the commission will study three important themes: the principles of theology, its meaning and its methods; the question of the one God in relation to the three monotheistic religions; and the integration of Church social doctrine into the broader context of Christian doctrine.
While not all topics that the commission talks about end up getting turned into position papers, this is an indication of what subjects the ITC may address in print. So: In the next few years we may see papers on theological method, God in relation to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and the relationship of social doctrine to broader Christian doctrine.
Each a worthy subject.
Also, there's this:
At the end of their deliberations the members of the International Theological Commission will be received in audience by the Holy Father.
I'll be interested to see the transcript of the address the Holy Father gives them. It may contain further pointers about what they're doing and what's likely to come out in the future.
Incidentally, there are two volumes out of the ITC's previous documents, the first collecting them from 1969 (when the commission was founded) through 1985 and the second from 1986 to 2007. Many of these are not available in English anywhere else (that I know of).
They make for fascinating reading. For example, back in 1985 they did a document on the consciousness of Christ (y'know… did he know he was God, know his mission, etc…. all that stuff the trendy theological kids want to deny). In the introduction to the document the commission writes:
In fact, who would trust a Savior who may not have known who he was or was unwilling to be what he was? It is clear, then, that the Church attaches maximum importance to the problem of the awareness (consciousness) and human knowledge of Jesus. We are not dealing with mere theological speculations but with the very foundation of the method and mission of the Church in all its intimacy.
Yeah! Take that, theological trendies!
Anyway, you might want to get the books (and there are Kindle editions, too!)
International Theological Commission: Texts and Documents, 1969-1985
International Theological Commission, Vol II: 1986-2007
“In fact, who would trust a Savior who may not have known who he was or was unwilling to be what he was?
This seems to be a little too dismissive. I mean, I’m not really into the theological trendy position myself, BUT one could say that as long as he knew and accepted the nature of the incarnation before the incarnation, then his trustworthiness as a savior is not diminished, even if he had a limited knowledge/understanding/whatever while on Earth. No?
We have to remember that, when we are speaking of Christ, we are speaking about God. Our Lord has two natures, but only one person, that being the Second Person of the Trinity. God cannot have limited knowledge or understanding.
Christ was also limited by the capacity of the human brain. Allthough a saviour they will always be complications trying to squeese the Almighty into a human form.
Furthermore being a saviour is a filthy job, but somebody`s got to do it. Because as The Saviour, you are allso the judge, and it is never a pleasent job. Remember, those you do not save end up in Hell, and you will always be troubled by questions like ” Could I have done more” “Was that unfair” “Should I have been more leenient” and so forth.
@Bill912:
As God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity knows everything. But to be fully human (According to Paul he “empties Himself, becoming human”, he sleeps, gets tired, can learn, can suffer and die; is “like us in every way except sin”.
One can devote considerable time to conjecture HOW God can empty Himself to become human; but it is implied in our creeds (Apostles & Nicene).
TeaPot562
The idea of God being limited by human frailities, and man being endowed with the faculties of God, is simply one of those mysteries we have to accept on faith. Logic and reason, themselves limited by human frailities, cannot explain it. The mistake that the atheist makes is to assume that everything about God should be explainable by logic and reason, but that cannot be done, any more than we can explain division by zero. The concepts are simply undefined, and we must wait for God, someday, to supply the definitions.
Thanks, Jimmy. Being a convert myself, I always find your articles helpful. Speaking of “secretive”, I have a question. I have heard of the Vatican’s “Secret Archives” as well as diocesan “Secret Archives”. A friend of mine who has been so hurt by the sex abuse scandal that she has left the Church and cannot see reason or any good about the Church insists that such “Secret Archives” are used to cover up evidence of abuse and other crimes, etc. I don’t believe that, of course, but my question is, what exactly are these “Secret Archives”, and why are they secret? Thanks for any light you can shed on this for me.
@Bill912:
How was Christ limited by the capacity of the human brain, either he knew he was God or not. It is not a complex question and answer that would be limited by the human brain unless he was a vegetable. Why would a savior (God) have complications trying to squeeze the Almighty into a human form? God does everything infinitely easy. God could do it again thousands of times without tiring.
Yes, he is the judge, and I don’t know how to respond to your comments about it being a filthy job or unpleasant job. God is joyful when justice is fulfilled. So, being a judge would seem to be a joyful job for the Lord.
Why would Jesus be troubled with those questions like that? God is most just, most faithful, most loving, most merciful, none of these questions come into mind because he is omniscient, he knows all. I don’t think it would be a difficult of a job for God as he knows who died not in communion with the Lord.
It sounds like you follow a New Age wishy-washy theology where even God doesn’t know who he’s going to let into Heaven so it is best to just live life “good” and hope God lets you into to Heaven.
Colonel Adams, the poster’s name is BELOW his comment, not above it.
@Bill912:
Mia Culpa, my previous message was directed at GABRIEL.
When you can feel the things you want to feel able to say what you feel when this is a very happy time.