Tracing the Way

Hans Küng (German: [ˈhans ˈkʏŋ]; 19 March 1928 – 6 April 2021) was a Swiss Catholic priest, theologian, and author. He was a leading and often controversial figure in modern Catholic thought, known for his critique of papal infallibility and his advocacy of a re-examination of Catholic doctrine. He served as a theological adviser (peritus) at the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) and was Professor of Ecumenical Theology at the University of Tübingen from 1960 until his retirement in 1996. His views led to prolonged conflict with Church authorities, and in 1979 the Vatican revoked his authorization to teach Catholic theology. Küng later focused on interreligious dialogue and global ethics, serving as president of the Foundation for a Global Ethic from 1995.