Catholic Theological
Society of America

President Catherine Clifford wishes to share this information with the CTSA membership:

The Proposed Canonical Norms in Light of the Synod on Synodality. A Conversation with Co-drafter Prof. Myriam Wijlens

On 21 October 2026, 2:00 – 3:15 PM ET
Please register at https://ustpaul.ca/en/event/proposed-canonical-norms-in-light-of-the-synod-on-synodality/

On September 30, 2026, the Secretariat for the Synod in Rome published the report of the Canon Law Commission. With the approval of Pope Francis this Commission was established to propose changes of canonical norms for the Latin Church on the basis of the results of the 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality, particularly its Final Document approved on October 26, 2024. The Commission expresses the need for short term, midterm and long-term modifications. The Report published lists possible short term revisions for the Latin Church.

Join us for a conversation with Prof. Myriam Wijlens, a consultor to the Synod and member of the Synod’s Canon Law Commission. She will shed light on the working method and the proposals that the Commission offered.

Speaker

Prof. Dr. Myriam Wijlens

Myriam Wijlens is a Dutch theologian and full professor of Canon Law at the University of Erfurt. She obtained her Doctorate in Canon Law from Saint Paul University in Ottawa and a Habilitation from the University in Münster. On behalf of the Dicastery of Christian Unity, she has served on the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (2008-2031) and as its co-moderator since 2022 as well as on ARCIC since 2018. Pope Francis appointed her as a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (2018-2022). He also appointed her as a Consultor to the Secretariat of the Synod (2021-2026) and at his request she served as an expert to the XVI General Ordinary Assemblies for the Synod on Synodality (2023-2024). In 2023 she was appointed as a member of the Synod’s Canon Law Commission.

The CTSA Board of Directors gathered at the October 2026 meeting approved changing the deadline to submit new applications to CTSA membership (Active and Associate) and adjustment of status, thus streamlining our timeline as we now hold our Business Meeting online during the month of May. The new deadline to submit new CTSA membership applications and requests for adjustment of status is April 15. Please share this information with students and colleagues considering CTSA membership. May this be an opportunity to encourage all members to invite others to join the Society and to renew your own engagement. Please visit the CTSA website for information and updates on current activities.

Sincerely,

Hosffman Ospino, PhD
CTSA Secretary 

President Catherine Clifford has written her Fall Letter to the membership. Please read the letter here. 

CTSA President Catherine Clifford recently wrote a letter to Catholic Biblical Association President Amy-Jill Levine.

You may read the letter in the attached file:

CTSA presidential letter to CBA president.pdf

• 2026 Scherer Lecture offered by Dr. Michelle Clifton
• "Word Made Flesh: Abolishing Bars with Books"
• Register here: https://lstc.edu/event/scherer-lecture-2026/

• 2026 Luzbetak Lecture offered by Dr. Joanne Doi, MM 
• “Dark Spaces Birth New Stars: Hope in Dismal Times”
• Register here: https://ctu.edu/event/28th-annual-louis-j-luzbetak-lecture-on-mission-and-culture/

The CTSA remembers and prays for longstanding member Sixto J. Garcia who died on August 22, 2026.

Eternal rest grant unto Sixto, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Obituary (Dignity Memorial)

CTSA Theological Contributions in the Proceedings

Orlando O. Espin, Sixto J. Garcia (Co-conveners) “Hispanic-American Theology”, (Workshop) Proceedings, Vol 42 (1987). 

Orlando Espin, Sixto Garcia (Co-Conveners), “The Sources of Hispanic-American Theology”, (Workshop)  Proceedings, Vol 43 (1988).

Orlando O. Espin, Sixto J. García, “‘Lilies of the Field’: A Hispanic Theology of Providence and Human Responsibility", (Plenary)  Proceedings, Vol 44 (1989).

Sixto J. Garcia (Convener and Presenter), “Trinitarian Theology”, Proceedings, Vol 48 (1993).

Services were held on August 28th and 29th:

Visitation was held at Caballero Rivero Westchester, 8200 Bird Road, Miami, FL 33155, on August 28, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

A Funeral Service was held at Centro de Espiritualidad Ignaciana, Casa Manresa Miami, 12190 SW 56th Street, Miami, FL 33175, US, on August 29, 2026, beginning at 10:30 am.

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Photo access via Dignity Memorial (9/9/26)

Announcing the 2nd Annual TIDEL Summit & Showcase, taking place October 1–2, 2026, in New York City, at Union Theological Seminary and Teachers College, Columbia University.

The event brings together scholars, faith leaders, technologists, and nonprofit professionals for sessions, panel discussions, and interdisciplinary dialogue at the intersection of technology, theology, ethics, innovation, and public life.

Call for Papers Themes

1. Reimagining Human Flourishing in the Digital Age Disruptive inquiry into how AI, automation, and digital ecosystems reshape identity, belonging, meaning-making, and spiritual life — and what it means to thrive when the boundaries between human and machine blur.

2. Racial Justice in the Digital Public Square Unapologetic interrogation of how technology amplifies or dismantles systems of racial power. Examining algorithmic bias, platform monopolies, digital redlining, and the urgent fight for an equitable, democratic digital public square.

3. The Futuring of Faith Communities: Digital Religion, Leadership, and Belonging Forward-looking inquiry into how digital culture, online ritual, hybrid community, and emerging tools are reshaping religious leadership, congregational life, and the meaning of belonging — and how faith communities can cultivate resilient, imaginative futures.

Key Dates
Paper submission deadline: September 15, 2026
Notifications to authors: by September 22, 2026

Submitting and Attending
Paper submissions are free, and selected presenters will receive complimentary registration.
Attendance is open to everyone — you do not need to submit a paper to attend. Registration is $150.

Information, full details, and registration: https://www.tidelconference.org/

The Institute for Hebrew Language and Literature and the European Hebrew Journal's international online conference, “New Discoveries and New Directions in Biblical, Hebrew, and Theological Studies,” will take place on 6–8 November 2026. See https://conference.hebrew.edu.rs/ for more information.

The programme brings together more than 30 international scholars across Biblical Studies, Hebrew, theology, early Christianity, archaeology, Jewish Studies, manuscript traditions, and digital approaches to biblical scholarship.