"The Church acknowledges the indispensable contribution which women make to society through the sensitivity, intuition and other distinctive skill sets which they, more than men, tend to possess." The theologian must humbly listen to "the various manifestations of the living faith of the people of God."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The growing presence of women in the International Theological Commission can help reveal some "unexplored aspects of Christ's unfathomable mystery," said Pope Francis this morning during his meeting with the members of the International Theological Commission, currently gatheredin its plenary session.

In his address, the pope emphasised two other features of the Commission, internationality - "which reflects the catholicity of the Church" - and the necessary attention to "various manifestations of the living faith of the people of God," because "along with the entire Christian people, the theologian must open his or her eyes and ears to the 'signs of the times'."

"Your mission," the pope said, "is to serve the Church, which requires not only intellectual skills, but also spiritual dispositions. Among the latter, I would like to draw your attention to the importance of listening."

"The theologian," he went on to say, "is first and foremost a believer who hears the Word of the living God and welcomes it in heart and mind. But the theologian must humbly listen to 'what the Spirit says to the churches' (Rev, 2:7) through the various manifestations of the living faith of the people of God. The recent paper by the Commission on the "Sensus fidei in the life of the Church" mentioned this. In fact, along with the entire Christian people, the theologian must open his or her eyes and ears to the 'signs of the times'."

"It is the task of theologians 'to hear, distinguish, and interpret the many voices of our age, and to judge them. In this way, revealed truth can always be more deeply penetrated, better understood, and set forth to greater advantage' (Conc. Vatican Ecumenical Council. Vat. II, Const. Gaudium et Spes, n. 44)."

"In light of this, and within the increasingly diverse composition of the Commission, I would like to note the significant presence of women; presence that becomes an invitation to reflect on the role that women can and should play in the field of theology. In fact, 'The Church acknowledges the indispensable contribution which women make to society through the sensitivity, intuition and other distinctive skill sets which they, more than men, tend to possess. [. . .] I readily acknowledge that many women" offer "new contributions to theological reflection' (Ap Exhort Evangelii gaudium, 103)."

"Thus, by virtue of their feminine genius, women theologians can reveal, for the benefit of all, some unexplored aspects of Christ's unfathomable mystery, 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge' (Col, 2:3). I therefore invite you to make the most of the specific contribution of women to the intelligence of the faith."

"Another feature of your Commission is its international character, which reflects the catholicity of the Church. The diversity of viewpoints should enrich catholicity without harming unity. The unity of Catholic theologians stems from their shared reference to a single faith in Christ and is nourished by the diversity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. From this foundation and in a healthy pluralism, the various theological approaches, which developed in different cultural contexts and with different methods used, cannot ignore each other, but in theological dialogue should enrich and correct each other. The work of your Commission can bear witness to this growth."

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