something like LaTeX theorems

With LaTeX each theorem is numbered in sequence and the numbering of
theorems is independent of thing like chapter and section numbers. It
would be nice if there where something similar in docbook. A theorem
would be, I guess, somewhat similar to something like a formalpara
element, but the numbering is global across the document whereever the
elements occur. 

I'm correct in thinking that nothing like this currently exists?