They have different but complementary tasks, must constantly work together and are vital to one another.
But when it comes to establishing the “authentic interpretation of the Word of God passed down by the Scriptures and the Tradition,” it is bishops under the guidance of the Pope who have the last word, not theologians.
The principle is certainly not new.
But it was clearly reaffirmed in a 35 page document published, in English, by the International Theological Commission and approved by the Vatican Congregation for the Faith.
The document’s name is Theology Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria.
Theology - the text reads - “is founded on the fundamental act of listening in faith to the revealed Word of God, Christ himself.” It is “scientific reflection on the divine revelation which the Church accepts by faith as universal saving truth.”
The document is very clear on the relationship with the bishops’ Magisterium: “Catholic theologians should recognise the competence of bishops, and especially of the college of bishops headed by the Pope, to give an authentic interpretation of the Word of God handed on in Scripture and Tradition.”
It is a role theologians cannot claim for themselves, because “Theology cannot substitute a judgement coming from the scientific theological community for that of the bishops.”
At the same time, Theology Today highlights that the vocations of bishops and theologians are different and that both need to respect each other’s roles, “lest the magisterium reduce theology to a mere repetitive science or theologians presume to substitute the teaching office of the Church’s pastors.”
Indeed, the role of theology is to “investigate and articulate the faith of the Church,” while the Magisterium - that is, the authority of the Church – should “proclaim that faith and authentically interpret it.”
However, as is known, “Not all magisterial teaching has the same weight.” This means that the “obedience” theologians must show to the Magisterium “involves constructively critical evaluation and comment”: “While ‘dissent’ towards the magisterium has no place in Catholic theology, investigation and questioning is justified and even necessary if theology is to fulfil its task.”
“Whatever the situation,” however, “a mere formal and exterior obedience or adherence on the part of theologians is not sufficient.” “Theologians should strive to deepen their reflection on the truth proclaimed by the Church’s magisterium.”
Theology Today also focused on the developments in theology in the decades following the Second Vatican Council, mentioning highlights - for example, the emergence of new voices in the theological debate, such as those of women, lay people and the southern hemisphere – and low points, above all the fact that “fundamentally positive developments” have led to “a certain fragmentation of theology.”
In an interview with Vatican Radio, Mgr. Krzysztof Charamsa, Assistant Secretary of the International Theological Commission, stressed that at the “heart” of the document, was the willingness to offer “criteria and methodological principles of theology” – “not so much as a discipline almost imposed by the outside, but rather as familiar traits of a work that is fruit of the entire theological community.”