Church and scholarship

Francis I offers this helpful summary of the task of theologians and the role of “secular” scholarship in the church:

The “task of exegetes and theologians to help ‘the judgment of the Church to mature.’ The other sciences also help to accomplish this, each in its own way. With reference to the social sciences, for example, John Paul II said that the Church values their research, which helps her ‘to derive concrete indications helpful for her magisterial mission.’ Within the Church countless issues are being studied and reflected upon with great freedom. Differing currents of thought in philosophy, theology and pastoral practice, if open to being reconciled by the Spirit in respect and love, can enable the Church to grow, since all of them help to express more clearly the immense riches of Gods word.”

Francis knows that drawing on this sources will be controversial: “For those who long for a monolithic body of doctrine guarded by all and leaving no room for nuance, this might appear as undesirable and leading to confusion” but he argues that “such variety serves to bring out and develop different facets of the inexhaustible riches of the Gospel.”

We’re in unusual times when a Pope wants to persuade us of the benefits of theological diversity.