Curriculum Vitae
Kenny Ang is a Research Professor in Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He earned his Doctorate in Sacred Theology there and now teaches Trinitarian theology at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Before this, he studied philosophy and theology at the University of Navarra. His research focuses on medieval Trinitarian theology, including figures like Peter Lombard and Thomas Aquinas, the connection between the Trinity and creatures, and the broader field of Biblical Thomism. He is also interested in the impact of artificial intelligence on theological inquiry and religious education.
He authored Aquinas and the Biblical Grounds of the Doctrine of Creation (Edizioni Santa Croce, 2024) and has been published in Scientia et Fides (forthcoming), Nova et Vetera (forthcoming), European Journal for the Study of Thomas Aquinas, and Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia. In addition to his work with the Sacra Doctrina Project, he acts as a peer reviewer for Annales Theologici, Verbum Vitae, Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia, and Religions. He speaks English, Italian, Spanish, and Indonesian, and reads Latin and French.
Education
- Doctor of Sacred TheologySumma cum laudePontifical University of the Holy CrossRome, Italy2022–2024
Dissertation Title: Aquinas and the Biblical Grounds of the Doctrine of Creation: An Analysis of Thomas Aquinas’s Creation Theology in the Light of His References to Scripture. | Supervisor: Paul O’Callaghan | Internal Censors: Philip Goyret; Catalina Vial de Amesti | External Censor: Mariusz Tabaczek, O.P.
Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology
Summa cum laudePontifical University of the Holy CrossRome, Italy2020–2022Baccalaureate in Philosophy
Summa cum laudeUniversity of NavarraPamplona, Spain2013–20152018–2019Baccalaureate in Theology
Summa cum laudeUniversity of NavarraPamplona, Spain2015–2018Piano Performance
Missouri Western State UniversitySt. Joseph, Missouri, USA2010–2012
Works
Aquinas and the Praise of Wisdom in Sirach 24
Journal ArticleBiblica et Patristica ThoruniensiaMar 17, 2025- Mar 2025
The Goodness of Creatures in Aquinas' Reading of the Wisdom Books
Journal ArticleEuropean Journal for the Study of Thomas AquinasNov 23, 2024Aquinas and the Biblical Grounds of the Doctrine of Creation
BookEdizioni Santa CroceJun 2024Creation in Christ in Aquinas’s Creation Theology in the Light of His References to the Pauline Letters
Journal ArticleBiblica et Patristica ThoruniensiaMar 29, 2024Review of Faith Challenges Culture: A Reflection of the Dynamics of Modernity, by Paul O’Callaghan
Book ReviewAnnales Theologici 37, no. 1 (2023): 324–3272023Review of God’s Gift of the Universe: An Introduction to Creation Theology, by Paul O’Callaghan
Book ReviewAnnales Theologici 36, no. 2 (2022): 542–5462022- Sep 2021
Academic Appointments
- Research ProfessorPontifical University of the Holy CrossRome, Italy2024–present
Teaching Assistant
Pontifical University of the Holy CrossRome, Italy2022–2024Lecturer
University of CiputraSurabaya, Indonesia2019–2020Taught a semester-long Philosophy of Religion course to junior-level students from diverse academic backgrounds, with one section taught in English (Fall semester) and another in Bahasa Indonesia (Spring semester).
Lecturer
Katolisitas Study GroupJakarta, Indonesia2019–2020Instructed a group of catechists and lay faithful on select questions from Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae.
Lecturer
St. John Vianney Spiritual Year SeminarySurabaya, Indonesia2018–2020Delivered an Introduction to Sacred Scripture course designed for propaedeutic-year seminarians.
Courses Taught
- The Mystery of the One and Triune God IBaccalaureate in Sacred TheologyItalianPontifical University of the Holy CrossRome, Italy2024–2025
Trinity and Creation in Saint Thomas
Licentiate in Sacred TheologyItalianPontifical University of the Holy CrossRome, Italy2024–2025
Invited Appearances
Aquinas's Commentaries on the Old Testament
Guest LecturerItalianForthcomingThe 2025–2026 Joint Diploma of the Società Internazionale Tommaso d’AquinoPontifical University of the Holy CrossRome, ItalyNov 25, 2025Lectured on St. Thomas Aquinas's Old Testament Commentaries, including a general introduction to his scriptural interpretation and specific analyses of his commentaries on Isaiah and Jeremiah.
The Builders AI Forum
Invited ParticipantForthcomingPontifical Gregorian UniversityRome, ItalyNov 6–7, 2025The Builders AI Forum, an invitation-only event, will bring together Catholic leaders, innovators, and thinkers to discuss and advance the beneficial use of Artificial Intelligence by the Church. Its purpose is to enhance the spiritual and temporal well-being of the faithful. The forum will feature interactive workshops focused on developing actionable strategies for integrating AI into Catholic education, healthcare, and media, while also exploring the theological implications of AI. This initiative directly responds to Pope Leo XIV's recent emphasis on AI's societal impact.
A Treatise in Disguise: Eschatological Themes in Aquinas’s Commentary on the Parables of Matthew
PanelistForthcomingPresentation at "International Congress St. Thomas Aquinas: 800 Years of Teaching"Pontifical University of SalamancaSalamanca, SpainOct 2–4, 2025From Source to Classroom: Theological Uses of Magisterium AI
Keynote SpeakerPresentation at "Catholic AI"Pontifical Gregorian UniversityRome, ItalyMay 5, 2025In an era where technology is transforming every facet of our existence, the Catholic Church is harnessing innovation to enrich theological scholarship and evangelization. At the vanguard of this movement is Magisterium AI, a groundbreaking tool that unlocks the Church's extensive treasury of wisdom. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore how Magisterium AI can enhance theological inquiry and education, while addressing the challenges and prospects of integrating artificial intelligence into the Church's mission.
Conference Presentations
Bridging Nature and Grace: Aquinas on the Divine Missions and the Circularity of Exitus and Reditus
ForthcomingPresentation at "A Dialogue Renewed: Scholasticism and the Ressourcement Movement on the Nature of Catholic Theology"Catholic University of AmericaWashington, D.C., USAJun 12, 2025The Pulcherrimus Ipse: Boethius’s Influence on Aquinas and Medieval Thought
Presentation at "The 2024 Annual Conference of La Società Internazionale Tommaso d’Aquino: La via della bellezza: Esse e pulchrum nel pensiero di Tommaso d’Aquino"Fossanova AbbeyPriverno, ItalyOct 19, 2024Aquinas’s Creation Theology in the Light of His References to Genesis 1–2
Presentation at "The 2023 Aquinas Conference: The Holiness of God and the Mystery of the Eucharist"Ave Maria UniversityAve Maria, Florida, USAFeb 4, 2023Creation in Christ in Aquinas’s Creation Theology in the Light of His References to the Pauline Letters
Presentation at "The 2023 Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Medieval Theology: The Medieval Reception of the Letters of Paul"Nicolaus Copernicus UniversityToruń, PolandJun 29, 2023
External Reviews
Review of Aquinas and the Biblical Grounds of the Doctrine of Creation
Piotr Roszak, Studia Gdańskie 54, no. 1: 148–50December 2024
Editorial Work
- Peer Reviewer2024–present
Served as a referee for Annales Theologici, Verbum Vitae, Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia, and Religions.
Membership
- 2024–present
Event Organization
Lumen Gentium 60 Years After: The Church as Mystery, Communion, and Mission
International CongressPontifical University of the Holy CrossRome, ItalyNov 19–20, 2024Served as a program committee member for an international congress, where I was responsible for drafting speaker invitation emails, designing event posters and pamphlets, organizing speaker lunch meetings, and managing breakout sessions.
Interviews
Pope's trip symbolizes a moment of spiritual renewal for Indonesian Catholics
Aug 29, 2024Priests hope pope in Indonesia will walk ‘tunnel of fraternity’
Jun 25, 2024
Other Academic Experience
- 2014–2020
Collaborated with professors and editors of Scripta Theologica journal to translate and revise abstracts and articles from Spanish to English.
Lab Coordinator
Missouri Western State UniversitySt. Joseph, Missouri, USA2011Administered placement tests for incoming freshmen, organized teaching materials for Reading 095 faculty, assisted the director with end-of-semester reports, and composed a Reading 095 Lab Coordinator Manual for future use.
Piano Instructor
Concerto Music SchoolJakarta, Indonesia2008–2010Provided elementary music instruction to children aged 7 and above, alongside giving private piano lessons.
Pastoral Ministry
Pilgrimage Chaplain
EuropeOct 2023Led a pilgrimage for forty-four individuals from Indonesia, visiting Vatican City, Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, Lourdes, Pontmain, Mont Saint-Michel, Lisieux, Paris, Beauraing, and Banneux. My responsibilities included daily Mass, leading meditations, and offering doctrinal and historical insights into each site.
Pilgrimage Chaplain
EuropeAug 2023Designed, organized, and led a pilgrimage centered around World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, incorporating extensive travel to key European cities: Vatican City, Rome, Fátima, Lourdes, and Paris. This involved end-to-end management, from strategic destination choices and itinerary creation to meticulous oversight of all logistical arrangements.
- 2019–2020
Administered sacraments, delivered sermons, and provided catechesis to diverse age groups. I also managed the operations and spiritual programming for St. John Paul II's Chapel and led regular discussion groups for young married couples.
Pilgrimage Chaplain
IsraelOct 2019Accompanied a group of thirteen people from Indonesia on a pilgrimage to Haifa, Tiberias, Cana, Nazareth, Samaria, Bethlehem, Ein Karem, and Jerusalem. I celebrated Mass daily, gave meditations, and provided doctrinal as well as historical explanations of the places we visited.
Spiritual Director
St. Vincent de Paul’s Catholic Hospital’s Nursing SchoolSurabaya, IndonesiaFeb–May 2019Facilitated spiritual development through recollection sessions and catechesis for Catholic students.
- 2018–2019
Service & Outreach
- 2016–2018
Coordinated the English-speaking Mass choir for the University of Navarra's chaplaincy throughout the academic year.
- Jul 2017
Guided pilgrims around the Shrine, providing succinct historical explanations of this significant pilgrimage site. I also assisted the staff at the Information Service Center in attending to the needs of the visitors.
- Jun 2017
Supported individuals with mental illnesses, including those in a vegetative state, for three weeks by managing their daily living needs such as hygiene and nutrition. I also enhanced their well-being through recreational activities and outdoor excursions.
- 2010–2011
Facilitated congregational singing during Sunday Masses through hymn selection and musical accompaniment.
- 2010–2011
Supported program development and implementation, such as summer fundraising initiatives and community dinners.
Languages
English
ReadingSpeakingWritingSpanish
ReadingSpeakingWritingItalian
ReadingSpeakingWritingBahasa Indonesia
ReadingSpeakingWritingLatin
ReadingFrench
ReadingPortuguese
Reading