Catholic theologians and bishops share a common goal—that is, the development and teaching of theology that will serve the Church and the Church's mission to the world.  Their disagreements are over the means to this goal.  The bishops' document calls for juridicizing, legalizing, the relationship between theologians and their bishops.  This is what the requirement of a mandatum will do.  While some theologians welcome this and interpret it as an affirmation of the importance of theology, most worry that it will foster a breakdown of trust between bishops and theologians. As such, it may discourage young scholars from pursuing theological degrees or from seeking teaching positions in Catholic colleges and universities. 

Theologians recognize the concerns of bishops for genuinely Catholic theology, and they share these concerns.  However, efforts to control the work of theologians, as they are laid out in this document, are both unnecessary and potentially damaging to the best work of theology.  Most theologians believe that the rigorous procedures of scholarly peer review required in American colleges and universities can serve well the concerns of the bishops. The requirements of the academy, when implemented with justice and with concern for an institution's mission, should foster responsible research and teaching. This serves not only the academy and the wider society, but the needs of the Church. 

Given today's decision by the National Conference of Catholic bishops, theologians will work with it as best they can.  Departments of theology will be meeting to discern responses.  The Catholic Theological Society of America continues to offer to assist the bishops with whatever new dialogues can take place. The document needs interpretation, and the theological community stands ready to participate in identifying remaining questions and concerns.