- Pope Leo XIV appointed Rev. Prof. Patrick Mwania, C.S.Sp., Vice Chancellor of Tangaza University in Nairobi, to the International Theological Commission
- Mwania joins 29 other members selected from across the globe for the Commission's 2026–2031 five-year term
- Tangaza University publicly congratulated Mwania, describing the appointment as a significant recognition of his theological scholarship
Nancy Odindo is a Current Affairs Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering general news. Odindo has over six years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2023.
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Prof. Patrick Mwania, vice chancellor of Tangaza University in Nairobi, Kenya, as a member of the International Theological Commission, the Vatican announced on Sunday, October 19, 2026.
Source: Facebook
Mwania is among 24 newly appointed members joining the commission for its eleventh five-year term, running from 2026 to 2031. Six members from the previous term have had their mandates renewed, bringing the commission's total membership to 30, up from 28 in the preceding cycle.
Tangaza University celebrates the appointment
Tangaza University issued a congratulatory statement acknowledging the milestone, describing it as a significant recognition of Mwania's contribution to theological scholarship and the Church.
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"This appointment is a significant recognition of Fr. Mwania’s contribution to theological scholarship and the Church. We celebrate this milestone and wish him wisdom and grace as he takes on this responsibility," the university said.
The commission's mandate is to assist the Holy See, particularly the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, in examining doctrinal questions of major importance and current relevance.
Its members are drawn from different theological schools and nations and are appointed by the Pope for five-year terms following a proposal by the Dicastery's Prefect and consultation with Bishops' Conferences.
A more diverse commission for 2026–2031
The new term reflects a broader geographic spread. Asia and Africa each gained a fourth representative, while South America now accounts for five members. Europe, which previously held 14 seats, now has 13. North America retains three members, and Australia one.
Lay representation has also expanded considerably. The number of women on the commission rose from five to eight, including five laywomen, while three laymen also feature. The total number of lay members now stands at eight, double the figure from the previous term.
Msgr. Piero Coda has been confirmed for another five-year term as the Commission's Secretary General. The other five renewed members are Father Alberto Cozzi, Father Simon Francis Gaine, Professor Reinhard Huetter, Sister Isabell Naumann, and Sister Josee Ngalula.
The commission was originally established by Pope Paul VI in 1969 within the then-Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with Pope John Paul II promulgating its definitive statutes in 1982.
Over its history, the body has published 33 documents with the approval of its president, who serves as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Commission's first plenary session of the new term is scheduled for November 23 to 27.
Source: TUKO.co.ke