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The article focuses on Pope Francis' decision to include laypeople as full members of the Synod of Bishops for the first time. The topics discussed include the positive response from theologians and Catholic Church reform groups, the significance of the changes in making the synod more inclusive and rooted in the people of God, and the expectations for greater gender parity and diverse voices in future synods.

The article presents views of Susan Ross, professor emerita of theology at Loyola University Chicago and past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, related to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's approach towards investigations into theologians. It explores the work of other Catholic theologians and ethicists with books in theology, Christology and liturgy by Benedict.

The article reports that Catholic theologians are expressing concern and dismay following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change. Jesuit Father David Hollenbach stresses that the announcement made by the president came a week before a group of Catholic theologians met for their annual convention about the intersection of faith and care for the environment.

The article focuses on the concept of cafeteria Catholics and argues that all Catholics, to some extent, make choices and pick and choose from the vast menu of Catholic theology, thought, and practice. Topics include the diversity of perspectives within the Catholic Church, the need for openness to growth and change, and the ongoing relevance of Vatican II as an example of collective decision-making.

The article argues on election of cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope at the 2005 papal conclave. It presents views on theologian, Ratzinger's approach on advising German bishops for promoting reform at the Second Vatican Council. It also argues on handling of clerical sex abuse during the Benedict papacy.

The article mentions the anniversary of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA), which has been in operation for 75 years.

The article informs that Catholic theologians, clergy, laypeople and organizations have pledged to support LGBTQ couples in the face of the recent Vatican decree banning priests from blessing same-sex unions. It mentions that the pledge launched by the Catholic support group New Ways Ministry, affirms the faith and dignity of LGBTQ individuals and couples.

The article reports on the support expressed by Orthodox liturgical theologians for the decision of Patriarch Theodoros II and the Greek Orthodox Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria for the reinstitution of the order of deaconesses. According to theologians from theology schools and seminaries, the reinstitution demonstrates the revitalization of the ministry. A brief history of the acknowledgement of modern Orthodox scholarship of the existence of a female diaconate is given.

The author reflects on the need for reform in doctrinal investigation. Topics discussed include the call of theologians and bishops for the extension of Pope Francis' openness and transparency to Catholic theologians who are under investigation by the doctrinal office, the letter sent to the congregation and to Pope Francis in which a group of church men and women are recommending the need to update and reform the existing doctrinal investigation, the significance of the reform.

The article offers information on several aspects associated with Walter Kasper who is a Roman Catholic Cardinal and theologian. The topics addressed include details on the relationship of Kasper with Pope Francis and information on the role of Thomas Aquinas, the great medieval saint and theologian as a key to unblocking the logjam.

The article reports on U.S. President Barrack Obama coming closer to signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) which liberalizes trade and commerce between countries including the U.S., Canada and New Zealand. It states that Catholic theologians and leaders have opposed the negotiations due to lack of transparency in the deal. It presents the views of Christopher Hale, executive director of nonprofit Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, on the impact of the TPP in the U.S.

The article discusses a theological conference held from June 27-29, 2013, at the Katholische Akademie, an institution of the Berlin archdiocese in Berlin, Germany. It mentions that theologians, at the conference, gathered with a hope to bridge social, political and theological divides and states that the conference was hosted by the network of scholars Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church. It mentions that the Europeans agreed to set up a regional committee for the ethics network. INSET: ACADEMICS DISCUSS VATICAN RELATIONS.

The author discusses the Catholic faith of Paul Ryan, speaker of the House, which influences his governmental philosophy. Topics discussed include the budget policy proposed by Ryan with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Catholic theologians and scholars at the Jesuit university who argued that Ryan in misreading church teaching, and center-left Catholics 's criticism against Ryan's academia and social justice.

The article reports on the conference "Doing Catholic Theological Ethics in a Cross-Cultural and Interreligious Asian Context," held in Bangalore, India in July 2015. Topics discussed include views of Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on church and leadership in cross-cultural and inter-faith Asian context, and appeal made by Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias to theologians on addressing socioeconomic, religious and moral issues in the region.

The article looks at a convention of the Catholic Theological Society of America held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from June 11-14, 2015 where Catholic theologians ponder sensus fidelium. Topics discussed include concept of the sensus fidelium, comments of organizer Bradford Hinze of Fordham University on the comment; and presentation of the John Courtney Murray Award to Father Joseph Komonchak of The Catholic University of America.

An excerpt from a pastoral statement on police reform and racial justice by U.S. Catholic theologians, issued in December 2014 is presented.

The article reports on the release of guidelines for actions to overcome the stagnation and resignation occuring in the church by catholic theologians from Europe and North America which include not to remain silent, not to quit, and to stay and act together.

The article discusses Swiss theologian Hans Küng's works, as of April-May 2014. The topics discussed include the Küng's tour of the U.S., the authors comments on the book "Can We Save the Catholic Church?/We Can Save the Catholic Church!" and Hans' knowledge of problems of Catholic church. Also discussed is Hans Küng's request to Pope Francis for reproduction of Francis' notes.

The article focuses on a report from the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA) which criticized members for excluding member with traditional or conservative views. CTSA president Richard Gaillardetz says that as a professional society, they are limited to consider the issues in the report. It mentions that the CTSA has acquired a set of six new guidelines to help members to respect diverse ecclesial and theological sensibilities.

An essay is presented regarding the author's appreciation for theologian Bernard Häring. It mentions that the author was declared unsuitable to be a Catholic theologian by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith due to his dissent on a number of moral issues. It further informs that Häring's approach to moral theology has inspired the author to shift his focus from conservative theological orientation to moral theology.