A regular member of this academy seeks to support the deepening of the Pope’s teaching with a clear pastoral sense and a greater impact on culture.
The Secretary of State appointed 8 new regular members to the Pontifical Academy of Theology (PAT), an organization of the Holy See founded in 1718, whose mission is “to promote dialogue between faith and reason, as well as to deepen Christian doctrine, following the indications of the Holy Father.” Among them is Fr. Pedro Barrajón, L.C., a Spanish priest who is currently rector of the European University of Rome, theology professor at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, and general counselor of the Legionaries of Christ congregation.
Fr. Pedro was already an academic member of the PAT, in the corresponding associate category. He now becomes a regular member for the next five-year term. “It is an appointment that fills me with honor and great responsibility,” says Fr. Barrajón, “where service and support are given on such an important topic as theology,” the science that deals with God, founded on sacred texts, tradition, and dogmas.
“With the appointment of eight new academicians – explains Mons. Antonio Staglianò, president of PATH – we are advancing in the process of renewing the Pontifical Academy of Theology to better serve the mission of proclaiming the Gospel,” according to the PAT website.
The new statutes, approved on November 1, 2023, by Pope Francis, foresee up to fifty-five academicians, so in the near future, new personalities may participate, with the aim of “internationalizing” the academic body and also providing space for theologians from other Christian denominations, to strengthen the ecumenical (but also interreligious) commitment of future theology.
