Theologian highlights contribution of laypeople to International Theological Commission

Father Fabricio Forcat is an Argentine priest who has just been appointed a member of the International Theological Commission (ITC). He recently explained how this Vatican body, which assists the Holy See in “examining doctrinal questions of major importance,” carries out its work.

What is the International Theological Commission?

Established by St. Paul VI in 1969, the ITC operates under the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. According to the Vatican website, it is composed of “theologians from diverse schools and nations, noted for their knowledge and faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Church.”

Its members are appointed by the Holy Father for a five-year term, upon the proposal of the dicastery’s cardinal prefect and following consultation with the episcopal conferences. They meet in a plenary assembly once a year, and the results of their studies are presented to the pope. One of the pontiff’s most recent requests has been for them to conduct the necessary studies to define what is meant by the tradition of the Church.

The commission consists of a maximum of 30 members. For the 2026–2031 term, eight women have been appointed — six laywomen and two women religious — along with four laymen and 20 clerics.

The commission’s work

Forcat explained to EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, that the increased presence of women and laypeople on the commission is “to a large extent the result of the entire process of receiving the Second Vatican Council.”

“It’s a fruit that is ripening as a result of truly walking together with the entire great human family, which is enveloped in a mystery of love, that of God the creator and God the redeemer,” he added.

The Argentine theologian, who was appointed to be a member of the commission on Oct. 19, called the work of the entity “a very important service: to gather, collect, and integrate the voices of various theologians, men and women from across the globe who in their own way help mature our understanding of evangelization, ensuring it is suited to our times, and of a theology that serves the work of evangelization,” he explained.

This, he noted, is “so that the word of God may remain present and alive within the heart of new sensibilities, and within the realities we encounter among different peoples and cultures.”

Pope Leo XIV in Argentina

Regarding this month’s visit of Pope Leo XIV to Argentina, part of a tour that also includes Uruguay and Peru, the theologian noted that the pontiff “comes to strengthen the faith; he comes to bring joy to a Church that must rise up, meet the demands of the current era, and creatively find ways to reach the hearts of the people of our time.”

“We expect this to be a truly intense moment of joy and evangelization. Just recently, we had the youth pilgrimage to the Shrine of Luján,” in which some 2.7 million pilgrims took part, he noted.

The priest also highlighted the importance of popular religiosity and the need for theology to engage with this reality as well.

“Hopefully, God willing, this will be able to find expression during the days we will experience with the pope’s visit. Let’s also hope the weather is on our side and that the El Niño phenomenon [which brings heavy rains] allows for it,” he added.

This story was first published by EWTN News Español, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.