THEOLOGY TODAY: PERSPECTIVES, PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA

Vatican City, 8 March 2012 (VIS) - The International Theological Commission is today publishing an English-language document entitled: "Theology Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria".

A communique on the subject, released by the International Theological Commission this morning, states that "the document examines certain contemporary theological issues and proposes, in light of the basic principles of theology, methodological criteria which are vital for Catholic theology with respect to other similar disciplines, such as the religious sciences. The text is divided into three chapters: theology presupposes listening to the Word of God which is accepted in faith (chapter 1); it is practised in communion with the Church (chapter 2); its aim is to elucidate a scholarly approach to the truth of God, in a perspective of authentic wisdom (chapter 3)".

The text of the new document may be consulted on the International Theological Commission's page within the Vatican website (www.vatican.va). On the same day it will appear in the magazine "Origins. CNS Documentary Service" and on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. An Italian translation will shortly be available in "La Civiltà Cattolica" and translations are also being planned in other major languages.

The communique also explains how "work on the document began during the preceding quinquennium 2004-2008, in the sub commission presided by Fr. Santiago del Cura Elena, and it was drawn up while taking account of studies undertaken during the current quinquennium, in the sub commission presided by Msgr. Paul McPartlan".

The text was approved "in forma specifica" by the International Theological Commission on 29 November 2011. It was submitted to the president of the Commission, Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who authorised its publication.

VATICAN MUSEUMS CONTRIBUTE TO THE EXHIBITION: "THE ETRUSCANS: HEROIC IDEAL AND LUSTROUS WINE"

Vatican City, 8 March 2012 (VIS) - "The Etruscans: Heroic Ideal and Lustrous Wine" is the title of an exhibition, which was presented this morning in the Vatican Museums and which will open in Palazzo Mazzetti in the Italian city of Asti on 17 March.

The exhibition brings together more than 300 pieces, some of which are little known or are being put on display for the first time. One hundred and forty artefacts come from the Gregorian Etruscan Museum of the Vatican Museums, and the others from the principal Etruscan collections in Italy.

The exhibition, which documents the historical and cultural ties between the eastern Mediterranean and the Etruscan world, opens with the helmet of Villanova, symbol of the first contact between the Etruscans and the community of the Tanaro Valley. The helmet was discovered in the late nineteenth century in the river which runs through Asti. The first section of the exhibition is dedicated to the importation of heroic and Homeric ideals into Etruria through a number of features (such as myth, trade and athleticism) which characterised the early phases of Etruscan culture. With the spread of Homeric verse in Italy, the image of authority in the Etruscan community began to change, adopting the model of the prince-hero whose merits included not only military prowess but also the accumulation of wealth. One of the most important pieces in this section of the exhibition is the bronze mask, from the Vatican Museums, which also adorns the poster for the event.

Section two is dedicated to banqueting ceremonies in their various forms, as documented on precious objects, and on sculptures and paintings. Among the items on display will be the original layout of the frescoes of the "Tomb of the Black Sow", which were removed from the hypogeum in order to conserve them. Another exhibit is the sarcophagus of the Vipiniana of Tuscania, with the image of the deceased participating in the banquet on the lid (held in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence) and the myth of Niobe depicted on the base (part of the collection of the Gregorian Etruscan Museum). The section closes with a number of votive heads of various kinds including children and old people, and two masks held in the store rooms of the Vatican Museums and which come from Etruscan shrines.

The exhibition closes with the Etruscan room of Racconigi Castle, which belonged to Carlo Alberto of Savoia, an example of the Etruscan artistic style which was popular in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

AUDIENCES

Vatican City, 8 March 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:

- David McAllister, minister president of Lower Saxony, Germany, accompanied by an entourage.

- Twelve prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop John Clayton Nienstedt of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Lee Anthony Piche.

- Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner of Crookston.

- Bishop Paul D. Sirba of Duluth.

- Bishop John Martin LeVoir of New Ulm.

- Bishop John Francis Kinnety of Saint Cloud.

- Bishop John M. Quinn of Winona, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Bernard Joseph Harrington.

- Bishop David A. Kagan of Bismarck.

- Bishop Samuel Joseph Aquila of Fargo.

- Bishop Robert D. Gruss of Rapid City.

- Bishop Paul Joseph Swain of Sioux Falls.

- Nikola Kaloudov, ambassador of Bulgaria, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 8 March 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Liam Stephen Cary of the clergy of the archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, U.S.A., pastor of the parish of St. Mary in Eugene, as bishop of Baker (area 173013, population 502,610, Catholics 37,029, priests 60, permanent deacons 12, religious 25), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Prineville, U.S.A. in 1947 and ordained a priest in 1992. Before ordination he spent many years working with poor people and migrants. Since becoming a priest he has worked in pastoral care in a number of parishes and as vicar forane.