The Biblical Commission is a permanent body of biblical scholars founded in 1902 by Leo XIII for the purpose of promoting the Catholic study of Scripture. Like other Roman Congregations it is centred on Rome and headed by a number of cardinals.

The encyclical Providentissimus which preceded the foundation of this Commission, the charter Vigilantiae by which it was established, the composition of its first board of consultors, the adoption of the advanced Revue Biblique as its quasi-official organ, the moderate tone of its early directives — all this indicates that the…