During the meeting, various problems of a doctrinal and canonical nature were   
   examined, and it was decided to proceed gradually and over a reasonable period   
   of time in order to overcome difficulties and with a view to the envisioned   
   full reconciliation.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    International Theological Commission at the end of its eighth term:   
   appointments and new website   
    Vatican City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) - This year the International   
   Theological Commission concludes its eighth five-year term, which began with   
   the pontifical appointment of its members on 19 June 2009.   
    As is known, the International Theological Commission, instituted by the   
   Servant of God Paul VI on 11 April 1969, has the task of assisting the Holy   
   See, and in particular the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in   
   examining the most important and current doctrinal questions. The Commission   
   is composed of theologians from various schools and nations, eminent for their   
   scientific excellence and fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church. The   
   Members - no more than thirty in number - are appointed by the Holy Father "ad   
   quinquennium" upon proposal by the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for   
   the Doctrine of the Faith and following consultation with the Episcopal   
   Conferences. During the course of its history the Commission has published 27   
   documents, with the approval of its President.   
    The Holy See wishes to express special gratitude for the competent and   
   conscientious theological service provided by the Members of the Commission   
   during the term that is about to draw to an end. Three documents have been   
   published during this term: Theology today. Perspectives, Principles and   
   Criteria (approved in 2011 and published in 2012); God the Trinity and the   
   Unity of Humanity: Christian monotheism and its opposition to violence   
   (approved in 2013 and published in 2014) and the more recent Sensus fidei in   
   the life of the Church (approved and published in the current year 2014). In   
   reality, the work of the Commission has been more extensive, as it has also   
   offered valuable contributions on other issues on behalf of the Congregation   
   for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is the primary task of the Commission.   
    On 26 July 2014, with the appointment by the Holy Father Francis of thirty   
   new Members, the Commission began its ninth term. This will continue until   
   2019, which will also be a jubilee period for the Commission, which celebrates   
   the fiftieth anniversary of its institution on 11 April 2019.   
    As usual, in view of the aforementioned appointments, during this last year   
   extensive consultations have been carried out with Episcopal Conferences   
   throughout the world, as well as the Synods of the oriental Eparchies. On the   
   basis of the responses received, Cardinal Gerhard L. Muller, prefect of the   
   Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, presented to the Holy Father a   
   preferential list of candidates. Taking these proposals into consideration,   
   the Pope appointed the theologians who are to form the Commission, at the same   
   time renewing the appointment of Fr. Serge-Thomas Bonino, O.P. (France) as   
   secretary general.   
    With regard to the provenance of the Members, there is an increased number of   
   extra-European appointees in the new composition of the Commission. As well as   
   the 14 representatives of Europe (compared to 14 in the previous term) there   
   are 5 from South America (previously 3), 4 from Asia (previously 4), 3 from   
   Africa (previously 2), 3 from North America (previously 2) and 1 from   
   Australia (previously 1).   
    Furthermore, there is a notable increase in the contribution of female   
   theologians. In the two previous terms, the Commission benefited from the   
   presence of two renowned theologians, Sister Sara Butler, M.S.B.T., (U.S.A.),   
   and Professor Barbara Hallensleben (Switzerland, of German nationality). Five   
   other female theologians have been appointed for the new term: Sister Prudence   
   Allen, R.S.M., (U.S.A.), Sister Alenka Arko, Com. Loyola (Slovenia-Russia),   
   Moira Mary McQuenn (G.B. - Canada), Tracey Rowland (Australia), Marianne   
   Schlosser (Germany - Austria). Women now constitute 16% of the Commission's   
   members, a sign of growing female involvement in theological research. In 2014   
   it was also decided to further diversify the ecclesial provenance of the   
   members, in relation to their religious status and the particular charisms   
   they represent.   
    The first meeting of the new members, which will take place in plenary   
   session at the premises of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is   
   traditionally held in the first week of Advent - from 1 to 5 December. The   
   three themes to be considered by the Commission over the coming years will be   
   selected.   
    The International Theological Commission has renovated and enriched its page   
   on the Vatican website (www.vatican.va), which offers all its documents in   
   various languages, among the section of Commissions linked to the Congregation   
   for the Doctrine of the Faith. All the documents published by the Comission   
   are available for consultation, usually in ten or more languages. The   
   Commission has now taken a further step to facilitate consultation while   
   conserving all its documentation on the official site of the Holy See   
   (www.vatican.va), by establishing a new link (   
   www.cti.va). Referring to the initials of its Latin name, "Commissio   
   Theologica Internationalis", the new link has the advantage of being identical   
   for various languages, such as Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. Aside   
   from offering a page dedicated to the Commission, the new link also offers the   
   reader the possibility of selecting the language without returning to the   
   Vatican homepage. It is hoped that this new and easier to use page will be a   
   useful tool for stimulating dialogue by enabling an increasingly effective   
   communication of the Commission's theological patrimony both within and beyond   
   the Church.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    The Holy See at the 58th Conference of the IAEA: nuclear disarmament is a   
   realistic objective   
    Vatican City, 20 September 2014 (VIS) - Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, under   
   secretary for Relations with States, attended the 58th General Conference of   
   the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held in Vienna yesterday. He   
   began his address by emphasising that the Holy See commends and supports all   
   the activities of the IAEA, which contribute to "authentic human development   
   and foster peace and prosperity throughout the world", and remarked that, in   
   relation to the Agency's significant achievements, "the Holy See believes that   
   improved public awareness and recognition ... would come about through a   
   greater use of the modern means of communication and a deeper cooperation with   
   civic and political authorities". Moreover, he added, "we believe that these   
   activities ... are compatible with Pope Francis' call for fraternity,   
   articulated in his 2014 Message for the World Day of Peace".   
    He went on to stress that the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear   
   weapons is "paramount for all humankind. Yet the attainment of this objective   
   cannot be the final word with regard to peace: special emphasis must be given   
   to worldwide nuclear disarmament. This must be a goal for all states,   
   especially for those who possess nuclear weapons or who want to develop or   
   acquire them. Furthermore it is a goal which ought not to be considered   
   unrealistic. The reality of peace unquestionably requires a change of course   
   which can be accomplished by decision-making which is clear and firm, and by a   
   willingness to seek and achieve nuclear disarmament. As in years past, the   
   Holy See urges governments and scientific experts engaged in the field of   
   military defence to work strenuously towards such disarmament". He commented   
   that this year is the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, and   
   the seventy-fifth of the Second World War, conflicts whose terrible   
   consequences we still experience to this day.   
    Archbishop Camilleri turned his attention to the great worldwide interest in   
   ensuring the enhancement and improvement of nuclear safety since the accident   
   at the Fukushima Daiichi power plants in March 2011. "This is the path that   
   must be pursued: doing everything humanly possible to prevent accidents at   
   nuclear facilities and minimising any consequences should an accident occur".   
   He concluded by confirming that the Holy See delegation "wishes to encourage   
   and support the efforts and innovative approaches tht concern the management   
   and safe disposal of radioactive waste", and reiterated the great importance   
   attached by the Holy See to the successful cooperation of the IAEA with other   
   United Nations organisations such as the WHO and the FAO.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Audiences   
    Vatican City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Father received in audience   
   twenty-one bishops of the Ghana Bishops' Conference, on their "ad limina"   
   visit:   
    - Archbishop Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle of Accra;   
    - Bishop Francis Anani Kofi Lodonu of Ho,   
    - Bishop Gabriel Akwasi Abiabo Mante of Jasikan;   
    - Bishop Anthony Kwami Adanuty of Keta-Akatsi;   
    - Bishop Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum of Koforidua;   
    - Archbishop Matthias Kobena Nketsiah of Cape Coast;   
    - Bishop John Bonaventure Kwofie, C.S.Sp. of Sekondi-Takoradi;   
    - Bishop Joseph Francis Kweku Essien of Wiawso;   
    - Archbishop Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye of Kumasi, apostolic administrator of   
   Obuasi, with Archbishops emeritus Peter Kwasi Sarpong and Thomas Kwaku Mensah;   
    - Bishop Peter Kwaku Atuahene of Goaso;   
    - Bishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu of Konongo-Mampong;   
    - Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi of Sunyani;   
    - Bishop Dominic Yeboah Nyarko of Techiman;   
    - Archbishop Philip Naameh of Tamale;   
    - Bishop Peter Paul Angkyier of Damongo;   
    - Bishop Alfred Agyenta of Navrongo-Bolgatanga;   
    - Bishop Paul Bemile of Wa;   
    - Bishop Vincent Sowah Boi-nai, S.V.D., of Yendi;   
    - Bishop Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, S.V.D., apostolic vicar of Donkorkrom.   
    On the afternoon of Monday, 22 September, the Holy Father received in   
   audience:   
    - Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy;   
    - Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, archbishop of Valencia, Spain.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Other Pontifical Acts   
    Vatican City, 20 September 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Father has appointed the new   
   members of the International Theological Commission and has renewed the   
   mandate of a number of members from its previous five-year term. For the   
   2014-2019 term, the Commission will be composed of the following members:   
    - Fr. Serge Thomas Bonino, O.P., secretary general, France;   
    - Rev. Terwase Henry Akaabiam, Nigeria;   
    - Sister Prudence Allen, R.S.M., U.S.A.;   
    - Sister Alenka Arko, Loyola Community, Russian Federation - Slovenia;   
    - Msgr. Antonio Luiz Catelan Ferreira, Brazil;   
    - Msgr. Piero Coda, Italy;   
    - Rev. Lajos Dolhai, Hungary;   
    - P. Peter Dubovsky, S.J., Slovakia;   
    - Rev. Mario Angel Flores Ramos, Mexico;   
    - Rev. Carlos Maria Galli, Argentina;   
    - Rev. Krzysztof Gozdz, Poland;   
    - Rev. Gaby Alfred Hachem, Lebanon;   
    - Fr. Thomas Kollamparampil, C.M.I., India;   
    - Rev. Koffi Messan Laurent Kpogo, Togo;   
    - Rev. Oswaldo Martinez Mendoza, Colombia;   
    - Professor Moira Mary McQueen, Canada - Great Britain;   
    - Rev. Karl Heinz Menke, Germany;   
    - Rev.do John Junyang PARK, Corea;   
    - Fr. Bernard Pottier, S.J., Belgium;   
    - Rev. Javier Prades Lopez, Spain;   
    - Professor Tracey Rowland, Australia;   
    - Professor Hector Gustavo Sanchez Rojas, S.C.V., Peru;   
    - Professor Marianne Schlosser, Austria - Germany;   
    - Rev. Nicholaus Segeja M'Hela, Tanzania;   
    - Rev. Pierangelo Sequeri, Italy;   
    - Rev. Zeljko Tanjic, Croatia;   
    - Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P., Philippines;   
    - Fr. Gabino Uribarri Bilbao, S.J., Spain;   
    - Rev. Philippe Vallin, France;   
    - Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, O.F.M.Cap., U.S.A.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
   For more information and to search for documents refer to the site:   
   www.visnews.org and www.vatican.va   
      
   Copyright (VIS):  the news contained in the services of the Vatican   
   Information Service may be reproduced wholly or partially by quoting   
   the source:  V. I. S. - Vatican Information Service.   
   http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/vis/vis_en.html   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)