COCTI/CICTI
Conference of Catholic Theological Institutions
Building Bridges Between Catholic Theological Institutions Worldwide
What is COCTI?
The Conference of Catholic Theological Institutions (COCTI/CICT - Conférence des Institutions Catholiques de Théologie / Conferencia de instituciones católicas de teología) is an international network of Catholic faculties, departments, and schools of theology committed to excellence in theological education and research. As a recognized international research group within the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), COCTI brings together theological institutions from across the globe to foster collaboration, dialogue, and innovation in theological scholarship.
Our History
Founded in 1978 in Porto Alegre, COCTI has evolved over nearly five decades to meet the changing needs of Catholic theological education. Our statutes have been refined through General Assemblies in Jerusalem (1984), Paris (2008), Nairobi (2014), Lisbon (2022), and Rome (2024), reflecting our commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation.
Our Mission
COCTI exists to:
Foster collaboration and mutual understanding among member institutions and between these institutions and the Church they serve.
Respond theologically to contemporary questions and challenges through collaborative initiatives.
Create spaces for sharing information, reflection, and coordinated action on theology and religious sciences.
Provide consultative opinions when invited by ecclesiastical authorities.
Promote dialogue with theological institutions of other Christian confessions and religious traditions.
Our Global Network
COCTI brings together Catholic theological institutions from six geographic regions:
Africa
Asia-Pacific
Central, South America and Caribbean
Europe
Middle East, India and South Asia
North America
Our network includes universities, faculties, departments, and graduate schools of theology recognized by the Church, creating opportunities for collaboration across continents and cultures.
Why Join COCTI?
International Collaboration
Connect with deans, directors, and scholars from Catholic theological institutions worldwide, building networks that transcend borders.
Shared Resources & Best Practices
Learn from colleagues facing similar challenges in theological education, curriculum development, and institutional governance.
Influence & Voice
Participate in conversations shaping the future of Catholic theological education globally, with opportunities to provide input to Vatican dicasteries.
Academic Initiatives
Engage in collaborative research projects, conferences, and publications with peer institutions.
Regional Connections
Join regional working groups that meet regularly between General Assemblies to address shared concerns and opportunities.
IFCU Partnership
Benefit from COCTI's special relationship with the International Federation of Catholic Universities, accessing broader resources and networks.
How We Work
General Assembly
Our primary gathering occurs every two years, bringing together institutional leaders for:
Business meetings and strategic planning.
Theological symposia on pressing contemporary issues.
Networking and relationship building.
Cultural experiences in host cities.
Regional Assemblies
Each geographic region holds its own meetings to address local challenges and opportunities, fostering closer collaboration among neighboring institutions.
Working Groups
Specialized groups form around shared languages, geographic proximity, or research interests, meeting between General Assemblies to advance specific initiatives.
Membership Categories
Active Members
Theology/religious sciences institutions affiliated with IFCU that regularly offer graduate degrees (canonical licentiate, master's, or equivalent) or conduct advanced theological research. Full voting rights.
Associate Members
Theology/religious sciences institutions meeting active member criteria but not affiliated with IFCU. Voting rights (except for statute amendments and Board elections).
Two-Year Associate Members
Catholic theology institutions offering degrees through university affiliation rather than directly. Renewable membership. Associate member rights.
Guest Members
Diverse institutions (including non-Catholic) specialized in religious studies. One-year renewable membership. No voting rights.
Join Us in Rio de Janeiro - May 2026
Join Us in Rio de Janeiro - May 2026
May 25-28, 2026
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Join Us in Rio de Janeiro - May 2026
COCTI 2026 General Assembly
May 25-28, 2026 Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Theme:
Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Perspectives for Human Intelligence in Light of Biblical Wisdom
Program:
May 25: General Assembly (institutional leaders)
May 26-28: Biblical-Theological Symposium (all participants)
Featuring distinguished scholars from Europe and Latin America exploring AI's implications for theological education, human intelligence, Christian anthropology, and pastoral practice.
Registration is FREE and includes:
All conference sessions with simultaneous translation (English/Spanish)
Coffee breaks and lunches
Conference materials
Visit to Christ the Redeemer
Farewell dinner
Registration deadline: April 15, 2026
How to Become a Member
Interested in joining COCTI? We welcome Catholic theological institutions committed to excellence in education and research.
Contact us:
President: Prof. Dr. Waldecir Gonzaga - waldecir@puc-rio.br
General Secretary: Prof. Dr. Fernando Soler - fasoler@uc.cl
Website: www.cict-cocti.org
Membership inquiries are reviewed by our Executive Committee. We'll be happy to discuss how your institution can benefit from and contribute to our global network.