Gilles Emery


Gilles Emery, OP is a Swiss Dominican priest, theologian and professor emeritus of dogmatic theology at the University of Fribourg. A specialist in the theology of Thomas Aquinas and in Trinitarian theology, he served as a member of the International Theological Commission from 2004 to 2014. He is an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Early life and education

Emery was born in Sierre, in the canton of Valais, on 14 April 1962. He pursued theological studies at the University of Fribourg, where he completed advanced degrees, including the doctorate in theology in 1994 under the supervision of Jean-Pierre Torrell, O.P. He made his solemn profession in the Order of Preachers and was ordained a priest in 1989.

Academic career

After obtaining the habilitation in 1995, Emery taught dogmatic theology at Fribourg, becoming an ordinary professor in 1997 and serving until his early retirement in 2021; he is professor emeritus. His areas of teaching and research include Trinitarian theology, the theology of creation, and Thomistic theology.
From 2004 to 2014 he was a member of the International Theological Commission, and he is an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
Emery has also served in editorial roles, including chief editor of the Swiss French edition of the journal Nova et Vetera from 2012, and associate editor of the English-language Nova et Vetera edition.
Emery's monograph The Trinitarian Theology of St Thomas Aquinas and his introductory text The Trinity are frequently cited in contemporary Thomistic and Trinitarian studies, as reflected in reviews and academic indexing.

Honours

Selected publications

Monographs

  • La Trinité créatrice: Trinité et création dans les commentaires aux Sentences de Thomas d'Aquin et de ses précurseurs Albert le Grand et Bonaventure.
  • Thomas d'Aquin, Traités: Les raisons de la foi; Les articles de la foi et les sacrements de l'Église.
  • Trinity in Aquinas.
  • The Trinitarian Theology of St Thomas Aquinas.
  • Trinity, Church, and the Human Person: Thomistic Essays.
  • The Trinity: An Introduction to Catholic Doctrine on the Triune God.
  • Présence de Dieu et union à Dieu.

Edited volumes

Selected articles (English)

  • "Theologia and Dispensatio: The Centrality of the Divine Missions in St. Thomas's Trinitarian Theology," The Thomist 74 : 515–561.
  • "Kenosis, Christ, and the Trinity in Thomas Aquinas," Nova et Vetera 17 : 839–869.

Memberships and editorial work

Emery has been associated with Nova et Vetera in both its French and English editions, serving as chief editor of the Swiss French edition from 2012 and as an associate editor for the English edition. He is a member of the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas, and previously served on the International Theological Commission.

Personal life

Emery is a priest of the Order of Preachers.