Peritus
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Peritus (Latin for "expert") is the title given to Roman Catholic theologians present to give advice at an Ecumenical council. At the most recent, the Second Vatican Council, some periti (the plural form) accompanied individual Bishops or groups of Bishops from various countries. Others were formally appointed as advisers to the whole Council. Both Hans Küng and Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) were periti to the Council rather than for individual Bishops. John Henry Newman refused an invitation to be a peritus at the First Vatican Council.