By RVA
Fr. Clarence Devadass, associate secretary of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), is among four Asians appointed by Pope Leo XIV to the International Theological Commission for its 2026–2031 term, according to Vatican News. The appointments include 24 new members, while six members from the previous term have been confirmed.
KUALA LUMPUR — The announcement was made on October 19. Fr. Devadass, director of the Catholic Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who also serves as the Executive Secretary for the FABC Commission on Synodality, joins representatives from India, Taiwan and South Korea in the commission, which advises the Holy See on important doctrinal questions.
The other Asian members are Fr. Gilbert De Lima, executive secretary of the Commission for Theology and Doctrine of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India; Sister Shu Chin (Maria Teresa) Hu, F.I., extraordinary professor at the Fu Jen Faculty of Theology of Saint Robert Bellarmine in Taipei, Taiwan; and Professor Teresa Hyeon Soon Choi, associate professor at the Institute for Whole Person Education Center of Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea.
The appointments begin the commission’s 11th five-year term. Its membership has increased from 28 to 30, with greater representation from Asia, Africa and South America.
Asia and Africa each have four representatives, while South America has five. Europe has 13 members, North America three and Australia one.
The commission assists the Holy See, particularly the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, in examining doctrinal questions of major importance and contemporary relevance. It brings together theologians from different countries, academic traditions and ecclesial backgrounds.
The new membership also includes increased lay representation. The number of women has risen from five to eight, including five laywomen. Together with three laymen, they bring the total number of lay members to eight, double that of the previous term.
Pope Paul VI established the International Theological Commission in 1969 within the then-Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Its members are appointed by the Pope for five-year terms following a proposal by the Dicastery’s prefect and consultation with bishops’ conferences.
The commission’s customary plenary session is scheduled for November 23–27.
