Theology Department Chair Dr Ruben Mendoza pays visit to Pope Francis as part of INSeCT delegation

Dr Ruben Mendoza, Chairperson of the Department of Theology at Ateneo de Manila University's School of Humanities, attended an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis in his role as President of the International Network for Societies for Catholic Theology (INSeCT). 

INSeCT is composed of 23 societies and 12 affiliated groups from all parts of the world. It aims to foster academic theology and academic research among its member societies. Dr Mendoza became president of INSeCT in January of 2021. During his tenure, its research theme has been "Decolonizing Theologies, Decolonizing the World."

During the meeting, Pope Francis gave a speech where he stated that theology is "a significant and necessary ecclesial ministry," outlining three reasons why it remains important in our world today.

First is that it is part of the Catholic faith to "explain the reason for our hope," adding that this hope was the very Person of Jesus Christ and not just an emotion.

Second is that to promote human fraternity and care for creation, the "epochal changes" that our pluralistic society must face must be "critically assessed."

Finally, the rapid progress of science and technology, including but not limited to artificial intelligence. He stated that humanity needs to work towards "a common understanding of what it means to be human, what is worthy of our nature as human beings, what aspect of our humanity is irreducible because it is divine, that is, made in the image and likeness of God in Christ."

To add to these, His Holiness suggested three guidelines for theology. The first was to start with "creative fidelity to tradition."

“Theology is living,” he stated, adding that it should continue to grow and “incarnate the Gospel in every land and in all cultures.”

To do so, however, needs his second guideline, a "cross-disciplinary" approach. This is the call for a theology that listens to the results of human sciences and offers Christian wisdom in their development.

For the third guideline, collegiality, His Holiness called collaboration within theology and among other sciences. He stated that the "responsibility for this arduous task" calls for collegiality and synodality in the work of research.

Pope Frances concluded his speech by stating that theology's service cannot be carried out without recovering its “sapiential character.” 

"Benedict XVI rightly asked all sciences to widen the boundaries of scientific rationality in a sapiential sense," he stated, in reference to his predecessor. "This widening also needs to take place in theology, so that it can be a discipline critical for the life of every human being and the entire People of God, uniting science and virtue, critical reasoning and love."

The audience with His Holiness was organized with the help of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State. It was done in preparation for INSeCT's general assembly which will be held in Rome in December.

The INSeCT delegation comprised current and former board members of the organization. These included:

• Maeve Louise Heaney VDMF, Xavier Chair for Theological Formation, Australian Catholic University; President, Australian Catholic Theological Association (ACTA), Past President, INSeCT
• Dr Ruben Mendoza; Chair, Department of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University; President, INSeCT
• Judith Gruber; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Vice President, INSeCT
• Fr Luiz Antônio Pinheiro OSA; Provincial of the Augustinians in Brazil, Professore di Storia del Cristianesimo at PUC (la Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC Minas) e la Facoltà di Filosofia e Teologia dei Gesuiti (FAJE), Belo Horizonte; Member, SOTER. 
• Fr Martin M Lintner OSM; Incoming Dean, Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Brixen; Past President, INSeCT 
• Gunter Prüller-Jagenteufel; Faculty of Catholic Theology, University of Vienna; Past Board Member, INSeCT
• Nancy Pineda-Madrid; T Marie Chilton Chair of Catholic Theology, Loyola Marymount University; President-elect, Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA); Past Board Member, INSeCT
• Sr Maureen Daniella Anyanwu IHM; Assistant Secretary, Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria (CATHAN)
• Sr Shalini Mulackal PBVM; Representative, Ecclesia of Women in Asia (EWA)
• Dr Teresa Brown; Lecturer, Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, Australian Catholic University; Secretary, Australian Catholic Theological Association (ACTA).