Rome, Italy - Roman Catholic theologians say that the "Gospel of Judas," a version of Christ's life from the point of view of his betrayer, has no effect on theology.
The Coptic manuscript, which surfaced 30 years ago, is scheduled to be published for the first time at Easter. It was recently acquired by the Maecenas Foundation for Ancient Art in Switzerland and the National Geographic Society.
Giovanni Maria Vian, professor of patristic philology at Rome's Sapienza University, told the news agency ANSA that the gospel could contribute to discussion of the role of Judas, although without fundamentally changing doctrine.
"Reflections on the role and meaning of Judas have been going on for centuries," he said. "This has no bearing on Catholic theology because the document reflects the doctrinal requirements of certain Gnostic groups."
In the Gospel of Judas, Jesus forgives Judas and sends him to the desert for a period of prayer and contemplation. In the New Testament gospels, the two never meet after Judas' betrayal, and Judas kills himself.