The International Theological Commission is beginning its 2026–2031 term with a renewed membership. Leo XIV has appointed twenty-four members, alongside six others whose terms have been renewed for five years. The body now comprises thirty theologians, compared with twenty-eight during the previous term.
The clearest change concerns lay participation. According to the overview published by Vatican News, there are eight lay members, compared with four previously: five women and three men. They therefore account for just over a quarter of the membership.
The number of women, meanwhile, has risen from five to eight. The two developments overlap but are distinct: the five lay women theologians are joined by three women religious. Priests and members of religious communities therefore remain in the majority, but the composition gives greater space to other life experiences and research backgrounds.
Those appointed include Anne-Sophie Vivier-Muresan, dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Institut Catholique de Paris; Sara Parvis, who teaches at the University of Edinburgh; Teresa Hyeon Soon Choi, of Sogang University in Seoul; Maria Teresa Fattori, a researcher at the University of Teramo; and Claudia Leal Luna, a professor at the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences in Rome.
The list published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith also includes French Jesuit Michel Fédou, professor emeritus at Facultés Loyola Paris. Among the six members whose terms have been renewed, Piero Coda retains his role as secretary general. Sisters Isabell Naumann and Josée Ngalula are also continuing their participation.
The geographical distribution is changing too. Europe retains thirteen seats, compared with fourteen previously, and remains the most represented continent. Asia and Africa each move from three to four members, while South America now has five rather than four. The next plenary session is scheduled for 23–27 November.
Established by Paul VI on 11 April 1969, the Commission’s mission is to help the Holy See examine major doctrinal questions, particularly in support of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. It brings together specialists from different schools of thought and countries. Its members are chosen for their theological expertise and fidelity to the Church’s teaching, on the recommendation of the dicastery’s prefect and following consultation with bishops’ conferences.
The body’s former members include Filipino theologian Luis Antonio Tagle, who has since become dean of the College of Cardinals. Its international remit aims to bring research and questions arising from different Church contexts to Rome.
The statutes promulgated by John Paul II in 1982 set out a precise framework for its work. Topics are assigned by the pope or the prefect, with other Church institutions also able to make proposals. Subcommissions prepare specialised studies and may consult external experts, including non-Catholics. Their conclusions are submitted to the pope and made available to the dicastery.
Doubling the number of lay members therefore does not give them governing authority over the Church. It expands their participation in preparing work that may inform its decisions and teaching. Nor does the renewed membership allow assumptions about future conclusions on any particular issue.