REVELATION THESIS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29989, 26 November 1962, Page 15

REVELATION THESIS

Pope Orders New Study (N.Z P.A -Reuter—Copyright) VATICAN CITY, Nov.. 22. Pope John intervened in the Vatican Ecumenical Council and ordered a new study of a controversial theological thesis considered important for Christian unity efforts, according to a spokesman. The Pope said the thesis on divine revelations and its sources should be examined jointly by the Theological Commission of the Council, the Vatican Secretariat for Christian Unity, and a number of cardinals, the Associated Press reported. His action amounted to a success for progressive elements inside the council. They had argued that the thesis either be shelved or re-written in the interest of inter-church relations. The thesis was prepared in a preliminary commission headed by Alfredo Cardinal Ottaviani, secretary of the Vatican’s powerful Congregation of the Holy Office. A.P. said. By calling for a new joint study, the Pope clearly underlined the importance of the thesis in current efforts to improve contacts between churches. The cardinals who will participate in the new study were not identified, and may include both proponents and opponents of the thesis. Pope John’s announcement did not specifically say the thesis would be re-written, but a communique said it would be “re-touched."