Public statements by the Catholic Theological Society of America criticizing the Vatican and the bishops “have done us damage,” the body’s outgoing president said today, concluding that the prerequisite to fostering dialogue is “making fewer public statements defending ourselves against ecclesiastical power.”
“The price has been too high compared to what we have gained,” said Daniel Finn of St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. “I wish we were not facing this trade-off, but I believe we are.”
Finn made clear that he was not trying to stifle criticism, but said that in the future, such statements should come from individual theologians, perhaps with others signing on, but not in the name of the CTSA.
The comments by Finn came in his “Presidential Address” at the conclusion of the annual conference of the Catholic Theological Society of America in Los Angeles, California.
Yes it public statements and being neither humble or in conformance with Church teaching that is the problem. Public statements, yeah that’s the ticket.
“Many bishops form their view of us on the basis of our public statements, often influenced by advisors who are conservative theologians who don’t attend our meetings,” Finn said.
Second, Finn argued, the public statements have exacted a steep internal cost in the CTSA by driving conservative theologians away.
“They felt no longer welcome, out of a sense that they’re on the margins of a group that pokes funs at Vatican shortcomings and puts the CTSA name on statements they do not endorse. They feel it’s not their group,” he said.
“I don’t know that we’ll ever get those folks back, but there is a long future of others to come,” Finn said.
John Allen Jr. ends by saying:
…To what extent Finn’s sentiments represent a majority in the CTSA is difficult to gauge, but his address drew a standing ovation Sunday morning. It’s also revealing that the CTSA did not put out a public statement on the Vatican’s recent critical notification on two books by Jesuit Fr. Jon Sobrino of El Salvador, a famed liberation theologian, but rather decided to organize a discussion of his theology at their next meeting.
Too bad it appears that this turn is one of public relation and not a change of heart to be with the heart of the Church.
6 comments
This is actually a pretty impressive admission that the CTSA’s actions have increased division and not communion.
I’m floored by this statement. Fundamental to the delusion of the academy is the fantasty that what these professional whine associations opine about in public actually matters to those outside their little guild. This statement by the CTSA prez is an admission that no one who actually matters cares one whit what the CTSA thinks about anything. Their own dissent and caustic rhetoric have marginalized this group. I’ve also heard from “insiders” that younger, more orthodox theologians are starting to put significant pressure on the Aging Hippies to be of service to the magisterium rather than carping about it all the time.
Fr. Philip
It’s a start!
“Carpe Magisterium?” Seize the Magisterium? Not for long…
Sorry, Fr Philip, couldn’t resist. It was the ‘carping’ that did it!
What is wrong with (some of) you people? Dan Finn is a decent man trying to use hisw influence to promote a moment when honest Catholics of differing convictions can actually listen to one another, and deploring now what people say or their right to say it (inclluding yours) but the various ways in which what they say and how they say it can cause misunderstandings. Please recognize Finn’s olive branch for what it is and try to have a feeling for the courage that it demanded to say it.
Can honest Catholics deny the bodily resurrection of Christ?
Because that’s what one member in good standing of the CTSA has argued. That would be the Rev. Roger Haight, and the CTSA circled the wagons around him after the Vatican rebuked his most recent book for numerous errors.
Dialogue is a pointless charade when one party sees no difficulty in denying creedal declarations.
It’s a worthwhile speech, but it’s not at all clear that it is the opinion of anybody but the outgoing Rev. Finn.