Hans Kung
Explore the life and work of Hans Küng (1928–2021), Swiss Roman Catholic theologian, prolific author, and advocate of interreligious dialogue and church reform. Learn about his controversies, major contributions, and enduring influence.
Introduction
Hans Küng (born March 19, 1928 – died April 6, 2021) was a Swiss Roman Catholic priest, theologian, and author whose bold engagement with doctrine, church authority, and interreligious ethics made him one of the most influential—and sometimes controversial—theologians of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Although he faced censure from the Vatican, he remained an intellectual force, founding the Global Ethic movement and pushing for a more open, dialogical Christianity.
Early Life and Family
Hans Küng was born in Sursee, Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland, on March 19, 1928. He was the eldest of seven children in his family. His father managed a shoe store.
Growing up in a religious environment, Küng developed early curiosity about faith, doctrine, and the challenge of reconciling Christianity with modern thought.
Education, Ordination & Early Career
Studies & ordination
Küng studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1954. After ordination, he continued his theological education, notably at the Institut Catholique de Paris / Sorbonne, completing his doctorate in 1957 with a thesis on justification (contrasting Karl Barth’s doctrine with a Catholic reflection).
Academic appointments & Vatican II involvement
In 1960, Küng was appointed professor of theology and joined the faculty at the University of Tübingen in Germany. He also served as a theological adviser (peritus) during the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), working alongside figures such as Joseph Ratzinger (the future Pope Benedict XVI).
Küng was recognized early as a promising reform-minded theologian, contributing to discussions on church renewal, ecumenism, and doctrinal development.
Core Theological Projects & Controversies
Challenging Papal Infallibility & Vatican Censure
One of Küng’s most controversial moves was his questioning of the doctrine of papal infallibility. In his book Infallible? An Inquiry (1971), he argued that the doctrine as asserted by the Catholic Church lacked sufficient theological grounding.
In December 1979, the Vatican revoked his permission to teach Catholic theology (i.e. his license to teach in a Catholic context), citing disagreements with his doctrinal positions. However, he retained his academic post at Tübingen—transferred to the faculty in ecumenical theology—and continued teaching there as a tenured professor until his retirement in 1996.
Although censured in teaching, he remained a Catholic priest until his death.
The “Global Ethic” and Interreligious Dialogue
In 1995, Küng launched the Global Ethic Project (Stiftung Weltethos) to identify foundational moral principles shared across world religions, with the goal of fostering peace and responsible global coexistence. He believed that religions should emphasize common ethical commitments—in human dignity, justice, nonviolence—that transcend doctrinal divides.
This project culminated in the “Towards a Global Ethic: An Initial Declaration”, signed in 1993 at the Parliament of the World’s Religions by religious leaders.
His efforts in interfaith dialogue extended across Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and more, seeking bridges rather than barriers.
Theology of Christ & Reform of Church Structures
Küng’s approach emphasized the historical Jesus as a starting point—he argued that Christian theology should root itself in the life, message, and ministry of the historical Jesus, rather than doctrine alone.
He also pushed for reforms in the Church:
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greater roles for laity and women
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openness to changing church structures
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criticism of centralized authority when it becomes unaccountable
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more transparency and accountability in clerical life
His writings often addressed the tension between tradition and renewal, urging the Church to adapt responsibly in modern contexts.
Historical Context & Milestones
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1954 — Ordination as a Catholic priest.
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1957 — Doctorate completion at Institut Catholique de Paris.
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1960 — Appointed professor at University of Tübingen.
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1962–1965 — Served as theological adviser during Second Vatican Council.
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1971 — Publication of Infallible? An Inquiry, questioning papal infallibility.
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1979 — Vatican revokes his license to teach Catholic theology.
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1993 — Declaration of Global Ethic at Parliament of World’s Religions.
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1995 — Founding of the Global Ethic Foundation (Stiftung Weltethos).
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1996 — Retirement from active teaching, becoming professor emeritus.
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2021 — Death on April 6, in Tübingen, Germany.
Personality, Style, and Intellectual Voice
Hans Küng was known for being intellectually fearless, dialogical in spirit, and deeply rooted in both faith and reason. He rejected simplistic polemics and sought to engage believers and skeptics alike. His writing style was relatively accessible for a theologian; he aimed to reach both academic and lay audiences.
Although censured by the Vatican for his doctrinal criticism, Küng remained loyal to the Church in what he called “critical fidelity”—that is, remaining a Catholic while pushing for reform.
His capacity to dialogue across religious, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries made him a rare figure: a theologian who insisted that faith must talk with science, religion with secular humanity, and doctrine with conscience.
Selected Quotes
Here are a few memorable lines attributed to Hans Küng:
“The Epistle to the Romans is an extremely important synthesis of the whole theology of St. Paul.”
“I affirm the papacy for the Catholic Church, but at the same time indefatigably call for a radical reform of it in accordance with the criterion of the Gospel.”
“Religions are meant to help people live more humanly; not to die more inhumanly.” (Paraphrase of his general ethic view, often cited in commentary on his Global Ethic work)
These reflect his commitment to scrutiny, reform, and a faith that is alive, engaged, and rooted in ethical action.
Legacy and Influence
Reimagining Catholic Theology
Küng’s critique of certain dogmas challenged the Church to reexamine where authority, tradition, and conscience meet. His influence is evident in later theological discourse on episcopal collegiality, synodality, and decentralization.
Ecumenism and Interreligious Bridge-Building
Through his Global Ethic, he advanced a framework for religions to cooperate ethically beyond doctrinal boundaries, contributing to interfaith dialogue in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Academic & Popular Reach
Küng’s many books (on Christology, church history, ethics) remain influential in theology faculties, religious studies, and among educated laity. His public presence—lectures, interviews, dialogues—extended his reach beyond church walls.
Enduring Tension
Although he lost his formal authorization to teach Catholic theology, he never left the Church. This paradox—critic and loyalist—became central to his identity and legacy.
Many regard him not as a dissident but as a prophetic voice: one who pressed the Church toward renewal while refusing to abandon it.
Lessons from Hans Küng
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Faith must be open to challenge
Küng showed that belief sustained by dogma alone stagnates; faith must engage reason, history, and critique. -
Authority must be accountable
He argued that institutional authority, including the papacy, must be accountable to Scripture, conscience, and the common good. -
Interreligious ethics is possible and necessary
In a plural world, Küng insisted religions should find shared moral ground rather than solely emphasize divisions. -
Loyalty & reform can coexist
Küng’s life illustrates that one can remain devoted to a tradition while pushing it to change. -
Dialogue over closure
He modeled intellectual humility: religions, theology, science, and culture must speak with, not over, one another.
Conclusion
Hans Küng (1928–2021) was a theologian whose courage, intellect, and commitment to dialogue left a deep mark on Catholicism, ecumenism, and interreligious thought. His vision for a Christianity faithful to both tradition and conscience continues to challenge believers and thinkers across the globe.