The CELAM Reflection Team was created in 1969 and since then has had different configurations and tasks: it has promoted an inculturated theological reflection, rooted in the Word of God and with a defined pastoral orientation; it has shed light on the doctrinal problems of each moment; it has promoted a fruitful exchange between the Papal Magisterium and Latin American Theology; it has accompanied the preparation, celebration and reception of the guidelines of the General Conferences of the Latin American Episcopate; it has collaborated in the synodal Assemblies and in the process of restructuring the body itself, as well as in the organisation and drafting of the conclusions of the Ecclesial Assembly. Subsequently, with the 5th General Conference in Aparecida (Brazil), the Team was reconstituted to continue accompanying the theological-pastoral reflection on missionary discipleship.
According to its Statutes, "the mission of the Pastoral Theological Reflection Team is to promote a synodal exercise of theological work in Latin America and to serve the needs of CELAM, the Episcopal Conferences and the theological community of Latin America and the Caribbean. In the exercise of its functions, in communion with the pastoral priorities of CELAM, it studies and prepares issues proposed by the Presidency, the various pastoral centres, bodies or its own members". In the synodal vocation of the Church, the charism of theology renders a specific service through listening to the Word of God, in the tradition of the People of God; the wisdom, scientific and prophetic intelligence of the faith; the evangelical discernment of the signs of the times; dialogue with society and cultures, starting from the joy of the Gospel.
Iván Ariel Fresia has a degree in Educational Sciences (Catholic University of Córdoba), a PhD in History (National University of Cuyo, Mendoza) and a post-doctoral degree in Humanities and Social Sciences (University of Buenos Aires). He also has training in Participatory Pastoral Planning and in Youth Studies and Policies in Latin America. He is an invited professor at the Pastoral Theological Biblical Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean-Latin American Episcopal Conference and collaborates with the Socio-Anthropological Observatory-Centre for Knowledge Management. In Argentina, at the "Centro Salesiano de Estudios" in Buenos Aires, at UNISAL in Bahía Blanca and at the Catholic University of Córdoba, he teaches Youth Ministry, Educational Ministry, Youth Cultures and Church History, educational institutions and Latin American philosophy.
He directs the t "Obras Completas de Juan Carlos Scannone" project at the Faculty of Philosophy and Human Sciences of the Catholic University of Cordoba. He is a UBACyT researcher at the Research Institute in Educational Sciences, Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, National University of Buenos Aires. He is also a member of the "Popular Culture" team, Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), a member of the Argentine Society of Theology (2015), an academic consultant at the Scannone Institute of the "San Isidro" University (2020-2022) and a consultant at the Institute of Philosophical Research and Scannone Archives of the Catholic University of Córdoba (2021-2022).
