Below is Linh Hoang's letter to INSeCT. Linh serves as both President of INSeCT and as the CTSA representative to INSeCT.
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April 2025
Dear INSeCT Friends,
As we start this Easter season, we are visited by the death of Pope Francis. It is a moment of sadness for his death and also of joy as we reflect on his contribution to the Church. There are tributes coming from all sectors of the world about what he has done and what his legacy will mean. He is the “first Pope” in many different ways and all of that just enhanced his unique style of leadership in the universal church. In an whatsapp chat, many of you spoke about his contribution already and what his pontificate meant and will mean to the Church. I just wanted to send my own words to reflect on how he engaged with theologians and Catholic higher education around the world. As theologians, we know that our engagement is threefold—to the academy, to society and to the Church. At times, our interaction with the Church may be strained but never forgotten. At our last general assembly in December 2024, we were invited by the Holy See to engage in a conversation about the future of theology. Many of us were involved with this conversation and left inspired by how the Pope directly addressed us. We took this conversation further by making our research theme for the next three years about the future of theology through our own unique perspectives as theologians: The Future of Theology: Disrupting the Past and Generating a New Vision.
When Pope Francis first appeared on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, he asked the faithful people to pray for him. This humble act set the stage for his pontificate and the stance that the Church should take. The act of praying is grounded in a faith that seeks understanding. We know that clearly as seekers who want to understand through our faith rather than just settling on knowledge making.
As Pope Francis rests in peace, we pray for him. Then we continue to pray for the work that has been given to us to do. We ask for prayer to reflect on the future of theology within our academy, society and Church. We ask for prayer as we anticipate a new pontiff in the Church. We ask for prayer as we encourage each of our particular society’s engagement with INSeCT’s theme. And, we ask for prayer for each of us as we continue to do the mission given to us to do.
Peace and good,
Linh Hoang OFM
President, INSeCT
