New Delhi: Dr. Fr. Thomas Vadakkel, Secretary of the CBCI Office for Doctrine, has been appointed as a member of the International Committee established by the Vatican's Joseph Ratzinger Benedict XVI Foundation (Fondazione Vaticana Joseph Ratzinger Benedetto XVI) for the celebrations marking the centenary of the birth of Pope Benedict XVI.
The Foundation, which was created to promote and preserve the theological legacy of Joseph Ratzinger–Benedict XVI, has formed this international committee to oversee and coordinate a range of initiatives ahead of the centenary on 16 April 2027. These include academic conferences, publications, research projects, and other commemorative activities that highlight the thought and theological contribution of the late pope. The aim is to foster a theology inspired by his work that addresses contemporary challenges and anticipates future developments in the Church and society.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Vadakkel also serves as the Secretary of the Doctrinal Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) and is a Professor at the Pontifical Oriental Institute of Religious Studies (POIRS) in Vadavathoor, Kottayam.
His inclusion in this prestigious committee is a recognition of his theological expertise and contribution to doctrinal formation in India.