The ITC traces its origins to an idea presented at the first General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 1967. It was established on an interim basis by Pope Paul VI on 11 April 1969. His first appointments were announced on 1 May 1969. The first meeting of the ITC took place on 6–8 October 1969 and was presided over by Cardinal Franjo Šeper. Four working groups were set up for the duration of the first term to explore: (i) the unity of the Faith, (ii) the priesthood, (iii) the theology of hope: the Christian Faith and the future of humanity, (iv) the criteria for Christian moral conscience. The October plenary session of 1970 studied a paper on "The Priestly Ministry" prepared by the sub-commission on the priesthood. At the October plenary session of 1972, the ITC studied the topic of Theological Pluralism prepared by the subcommission on the unity of the faith. According to one historian, the ITC contributed the CDF's statement "Mysterium Ecclesiae", issued in 1973, a wide-ranging defense of the Church in the modern world.