Pope Calls for New Direction in Theology and Science

A view of Vatican CityPhoto byCanvaPro

Pope Francis released a new Motu Proprio, Saturday in Italian. Entitled Ad Theologiam Promovendam [To Promote Theology] and addressed to the Pontifical Academy of Theology, he used this papal version of the executive order to call for a new understanding of the science of theology for the era we are now living. Recognizing that our human history is in the midst of a paradigm shift, which some social scientists explain happens every five hundred years, the pope wrote that we are not in an era of changes but a change of eras.

The Argentinian Jesuit, scientist and theologian called for an end to simply reciting ancient teachings formulaically. He instead called to prophetically interpret the present and to see new itineraries for the future. The new direction for theology, he wrote, is to deal with profound cultural transformations such as we are going through currently.

Enter into the courageous cultural revolution

Theology, he said, must recognize its duty to enter into the courageous cultural revolution which he cited in his encyclical Laudato Si. He called theologians of the Pontifical Academy to interpret the Gospel in light of the current situations in the life of men and women today in the different “geological, social and cultural environments within the archetype of the Logos”—Christ the word of God. Theologians call this understanding Sitz im Leben, "situation in life" in which theology must work.

The science of theology, he taught, is now to openly engage in dialog with different confessions and religions. “Theology must engage in dialog with everyone including believers and non-believers.” He called it out of a close self-referentiality that leads to isolation and insignificance. He wants it to become transdisciplinary which he defines as the placement and fermentation of all knowledge within the space of light and life offered by the wisdom that emanates from the Revelation from God.

Truth, Charity and Wisdom

Truth and charity, he explained, must be sought together because you can find neither one to the exclusion of the other. There must be, therefore, a new direction in the pursuit of truth to direct toward wisdom. He cited Blessed Antonio Rosmini explaining that the critical reason for all knowledge is oriented to the idea of wisdom. He therefore explained that it is impossible to know the truth without practicing charity and vice versa.

Blessed Antonio Rosmini was a Catholic priest and contemporary of St. John Bosco, who founded both the Institutes of Charity and the Sisters of Providence in Italy. This is a different order than the American Sisters of Providence of St. Mary of the Woods of Indiana.

The 19th-century beatified priest, philosopher believed that instead of starting from God to arrive at the seeking men and women, it would be more honest to meet the men and women where they are and lead them "progressively" to God, he taught. According to a brief biography of Blessed Antonio Rosmini from Rosmini Publications.

Theology, the pope said, must contribute to the current debate of rethinking thought. He explained that true critical knowledge is wise knowledge and not abstract, or ideological. It is spiritual, elaborated on its knees, pregnant with adoration and prayer, he wrote in Italian. It is a transcendent knowledge and at the same time attentive to the voice of the people. It is therefore popular theology mercifully open to the plagues of humanity and creation and inside the folds of human history to which it prophesies the hope of a last fulfillment.

The new document roots itself in the pope's own call to a mission of mercy, love and truth rooted in prayer; it is a change in the dynamic of doing theology in the Church.

Time to end the split between faith and science

The pontiff appears to call for an end to the split between faith and science. Historically understood to be rooted in the Protestant Reformation and elements of the Enlightenment, he called for both disciplines to come to a new understanding united in the pursuit of a charitable truth pursuing wisdom.

This new statute may lead to great pushback from the more traditional elements of the Church, especially in the United States. It also comes on the heels of the release this week of a competing catechism authored by one of his greatest critics the Most Reverend Athanasius Schneider. The auxiliary bishop and former, Brazilian, seminary professor highlights fidelity to Catholic teaching in exactly the manner the pope rejects. Instead of a call to dialog, he indicates the proper Catholic response is to reject other religions and even silence their proselytism.

Bishop Schneider actively participated in the inaugural session of the Catholic Identity Conference in 2022. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with the opening slogan to “Unite the Clans”, the conference calls for a rise of the traditionalist Catholics who embrace the Latin Mass, some to the rejection of the current liturgy of the Church in the vernacular language and the pope as well.

The bishop’s competing catechism titled Credo is published in English by Sophia Press of New Hampshire. The Bishop of Manchester, New Hampshire the Most Reverend Peter Anthony Libasci gave the publication his imprimatur.

In a recent conversation with a European Jesuit in Portugal, the pope acknowledged the hostility of reactionary Catholics in the United States to his pontificate and his teachings.

The New Motu Proprio goes into effect immediately as of its release date of November 1, All Saints Day in the Roman Catholic Calendar.

RJ Carr is a Boston-based writer. Please consider following him for more content.